Please click one of the links below to view the introductory information or just scroll down(photo right Andy and Warwick on the summit of Lobuche. Background Everest and Lhotse Shar. Photo Andrew Turvey. ).

Introduction: In just 3 weeks, our Everest-View Glacier School may be the easiest way to learn the fundamentals of glacier travel with ice-axe and crampons, while gaining high altitude experience in the spectacular grandeur of the Khumbu Himalaya. We will teach you everything you need to know to make a summit attempt towards the end of our itinerary on the fun trekking peak of Lobuche East (6119 metres/20,075 feet). It is a beautiful place to learn, practice your skills and to take an up-close look at the high peaks of the Himalaya, including Everest, the famous south face of Lhotse , Makalu and the north side of Ama Dablam .

Our proposed schedule allows for acclimatization, training, practice and rest. Our expedition is cautious and careful, with excellent leadership, organization, Sherpa climbers, cooks and waiters, tasty food, the best equipment, a full kitchen and sleeping tents in basecamp and high camp.

We teach you everything you need to know in special training sessions in Cho La base camp and on the Cho La Galcier. The actual climbing on the fun trekking peak of Lobuche East/ Lobuche trek could be best described as steep walking/climbing, with team members roped-up.

You travel at a very careful pace without having to carry a heavy rucksack, while enjoying freshly prepared meals and lots of hot drinks, all important for acclimatization. The logistics are all taken care of, so just relax and enjoy the pure and pristine environment of the high Himalaya (photo right by Andrew Turvey.: Climbers ascending the summit ridge of Lobuche East. You can see all the way down to the lake where we set up basecamp).

This expedition to Cho La basecamp and Lobuche East maximizes many prior expeditions, years of accumulated wisdom of the high Himalaya, a strong record of reaching the top of 6000 metre/20,000 foot & 7000 metre/23,000 foot peaks: Mustagata , Aconcagua, Island Peak , Ama Dablam, Kilimanjaro, Mt. Kenya, North Col, Lhakpa Ri, and many other summits. In addition to our growing number of successful worldwide expeditions, we have an intimate knowledge of the Nepalese officials who regulate the permit system and we know all of the liaison officers, sherpas, cooks, yak drivers, and hoteliers/restaurateurs personally. back to top

Leader and staff: During the trek, in basecamp and on the climb, our experienced staff is with you all of the way. Our friendly guides and trip leaders are experts at leading interesting groups of men and women throughout Nepal. In addition, they have an intimate knowledge of the Sherpa people, customs, temples and shrines in each picturesque village you stroll through. We must also give credit to our polite and highly experienced, hard-working trekking sherpas, cooking, and office staff.

On trek: Our guide, together with friendly and helpful sherpas, cooks and local people leading yak caravans carry all of your personal equipment, group equipment, prepare and serve delicious meals, so you can relax and enjoy the trek. We stay in comfortable, warm teahouses during the trek. You do not need to carry a heavy rucksack during the walk(photo right: Karma, Dan, Squash, Mark and Phoebe in Cho La basecamp (Keith Whelan)).

On the mountain: Our climbing guide and group sherpas will fix the route, set up the high camps and carry the group equipment, such as tents, stoves, etc. If you wish to help out, we welcome you to do so, otherwise just relax and focus on getting well acclimated and achieving your goals. You do not need to carry a heavy rucksack during the climb.

Sherpas:Our excellent sherpas have an intimate knowledge of the beautiful trek to Island Peak and the comfortable villages we will visit because this is their home region. They live in this land, grew up on farms here, have family and friends in the fun areas we will pass through, making our visit less of the usual tourist experience and more involved with the unique and genuine culture of the Khumbu Valley. They go out of their way to help make your visit remarkable, enjoyable along the way, and create lasting ties with the majestic landscapes and the inhabitants who reside there. This is a truly wonderful trek with friendly people. back to top

Everest National Park: The park covers an area of 1148 square kilometres in the Khumbu region of Nepal. This includes Island Peak and several other well known peaks such as Lhotse, Pumori, Mount Everest, and Ama Dablam. The surrounding area is a 'world biosphere reserve'. Since 1976 the park has served to safeguard unique cultural, physical and scientific values through sound conservation principles. Vegetation in the park varies from oak, pine and hemlock forests at lower altitudes to fir, juniper, birch and rhododendron woods at mid-elevations. Scrub and alpine plant communities with bare rock and glacier are found above the tree line. 22 species of rhododendron bloom during the spring (April and May) and much of the flora is colourful throughout the year. Wild animals most likely to be seen in the park are Himalayan tahr, goral, serow, musk deer, and well over 100 different bird species(photo right: Team practicing roped glacier travel on the Cho La glacier (Dan Mazur).).

Trek to Cho La basecamp:This is one of the most beautiful treks in the world with ancient snow-free paths winding past green terraced villages, rushing streams crossed on swinging bridges and each night a comfortable 'teahouse' or a good tent pitched in a quiet pasture beneath the highest peaks in the world. Throughout the trek we eat delicious meals prepared by our skillful cooks. The trek will be moderately paced, allowing plenty of time for acclimatization, rest and site-seeing. The trek winds through some of the most spectacular mountain scenery on earth, where you can relax in exotic, friendly Sherpa villages. Our trusty yaks and porters carry all of your baggage, so you don't have to carry a heavy rucksack. We stay in comfortable, warm teahouses during the trek.

Glacier Training on the Cho La Glacier: After taking a rest day in Cho La basecamp we will begin several days of training before setting out for Lobuche East. Our school will consist of learning and practicing glacier rope techniques, ice-climbing, crevasse rescue and snow-camping. There will be ample opportunity for you to test out equipment, ask lots of questions and, most of all, have fun. back to top

Team members on the Cho La Glacier having fun. Team members practicing ascending and descending safely on the Cho La during our special training sessions. Climbers near the summit of Lobuche East (Valerie Hovland). Everest Glacier Team ready with climbing equipment in Cho La. Photo Andrew Turvey.

Lobuche East: This fun trekking peak affords the opportunity to go high and practice our newly learned techniques from the previous training on the Cho La Glacier.

Basecamp: After we have finished our training, we will make the brief and beautiful trek to Lobuche East. Basecamp is located at 5550 metres/18,200 feet near a beautiful hidden lake at the base of the glaciated South-West Face.

High Camp: From the northern end of the lake near basecamp, we climb slabby terraces and snow slopes beneath the main glaciers of the South-West Face and gain access to the ridge overlooking Lobuche and the Khumbu Glacier. At the point where the glacier face and ridge meet we will establish our high camp(photo right by Valerie Hovland: The view of Lobuche East from basecamp).

Summit Attempt: From the high camp we will continue up the sinuous snow arête to its junction with the summit ridge. The route to the East Peak follows the summit ridge north-west across several snow bumps along the way. Upon reaching the snow summit you are treated to magnificent views of Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Makalu.back to top

Going down from Mountain with the help of fixed rope. Using crampon in ice wall. Fix rope and safety equipment. Photo Marjo

Who is this trip for?

We encourage men and women from around the world, of all ages to join us as an individual team member or with your own group, whether that is your spouse, partner, friends, sibling, clients, colleagues, etc. Most of our members join as individuals, our team dynamics work well, and we are able to build successful and safe groups of people that enjoy trekking, climbing, and traveling together.

During the Everest-View Glacier School expedition, we teach you all of the skills needed in special training sessions. Our training covers glacier travel, ascending and descending ropes safely, using ice-axe and crampons, etcetera. Irregardless of experience, everyone is welcome to join us and see how they feel at 6000 metres/20,000 feet(photo right by Valerie Hovland: The team resting below Lobuche East basecamp. From here it is a short hike to the lake we will camp at before starting for the summit. Behind them is Lobuche East in the distance).

Previous camping experience is beneficial to enjoying the trip, although not required.

It would be nice if you have some experience with foreign travel, although we are happy to advise and help you if this is your first time out of the country and, for many of our members, it is.

All of the work is done for you, such as cooking, carrying group equipment, setting up tents, etc. Yaks and sherpas will carry all of your personal items so you do not have to carry a heavy rucksack.

It is not necessary to be in extremely good shape to enjoy this trip. If you have fun walking for 3-6 hours up and down hills with a few 20 minute breaks mixed in, then you can accomplish this school.back to top

Please "click" one of the links on the column on the upper right of your screen under "Everest View Glacier School" to learn more about our expedition.

Sleeping arrangements will be in comfortable and roomy bunks in teahouses, except for tents during the glacier training portion of the trip and on Lobuche East;

Your trip includes 2 free Kathmandu hotel nights at the beginning and two free Kathmandu hotel nights at the end of the trip. You will be sharing. If you want your own single room, the cost is an aditional $32 per night (during the included four free hotel nights) and for extra nights $65 per person for single occupancy. Please bring extra cash to pay for your extra nights and / or your single supplement. We often stay at the comfortable three star Hotel Shakti. Its an excellent and classic hotel surrounded by green gardens and located in the heart of the city action near many delicious restaurants, the city's best mountain equipment shopping, and abundant nightlife all within a few minutes walk. The Shakti also offers lots of entertaining day trip (and night outing) options such as city tours, walking tours, rock climbing, mountain biking, wild game safaris, horse back riding, art classes, volunteer opportunities at orphanages, hospitals, schools, women's centres, bird watching, cooking classes, sport fishing, day peak climbing, herbal medicine seminars, day hikes, pottery classes, car tours, sightseeing, temple tours, henna handpainting classes, massage, swimming, beauty salon, motorbiking, yoga retreats, river rafting, painting classes, golf, language courses, kayaking, writing seminars, bungie jumping, religious worship, canyoning, hot tubs, health club, saunas, fitness center, spa treatments, Mount Kailash Treks, night clubs, meditation retreats, gourmet restaurants, cultural dance performances, wine tasting, pedicures and manicures, casino gambling, barber shop, discotheques, airport transfers, Scenic flights around Mount Everest and much much more. Meals in Kathmandu are at your expense.

Five-Day Option:We are offering a five day trip for those members that wish to meet our team on day 9 of the itinerary in Dzongla and arrange their own trek before and after the 5 days of glacier travel. All of the services provided to our full-service members will be offered to members who wish to only do the 5 day program. This may be a great option for those who are participating in other treks/climbs in the region. Five day option cost: $1350 USD.

Everest Basecamp Extension Option: For those members wishing to see Everest Basecamp after the Glacier School, we are offering a 4 day extension. You will branch off from the main team on day 12 of the itinerary and together we retrace the rest of the classic "Everest Approach March" made by Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, as well as climb Kala Patar (5,545 metres/18,200 feet). For more about the route to basecamp, please click here. 4 day Everest Basecamp extension cost: $550 USD.

Trekking:The cost of this expedition includes one of the most beautiful treks in the world. For more information and photos, please visit our Everest Basecamp trek. The trek follows almost the same route as Everest Basecamp, with the exception of branching off to the Cho La Glacier, southwest of Everest (photo right by Tunc Findik: Namche Bazaar, the capital of the Sherpa people. See this unique village on our trek to and from basecamp).

Sherpas and Equipment Transport: Our expedition includes transport of all of your equipment from Kathmandu to your destination, and returned to Kathmandu, including internal/domestic flights from Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu. While climbing on the mountain, we DO NOT ask our members to carry heavy group equipment (although it is an option if you really want to), such as tents, rope, fuel, food, etcetera. We employ climbing sherpas, and high-altitude porters, to carry group equipment and supplies.

Cooks and Food:On the trek our experienced trekking cooks provide delicious meals. Our skillful and hard working cooks prepare three hot meals each day with a very healthy diet of fresh vegetables, cheeses, eggs, and fresh as well as tinned fruits, meats and fish (all meats and fish are prepared separately out of respect for the vegetarians in our midst). They supply you with unlimited hot-drinks, the key to successful acclimatization. We have large weather-proof kitchens and dining tents, with comfortable chairs and tables. On the mountain, above basecamp, we provide you with abundant and nutritious locally available quick-cooking food, so that you may prepare at least three meals and lots of hot drinks each day, in our specially designed high-altitude stoves using our butane-propane expedition mix fuel.

Hotel: Your trip includes 2 free Kathmandu hotel nights at the beginning and two free Kathmandu hotel nights at the end of the trip. You will be sharing. If you want your own single room, the cost is an aditional $25 per night. This a clean and comfortable "two-star" hotel. We use good quality hot water hotels in a central neighborhood, near many tasty restaurants, and excellent mountain equipment and gift shopping, as well as our trekking and mountain climbing office where we meet before and after the adventure.

Group Equipment:We provide a plethora of top-quality, and time-tested equipment, group gear, and supplies, including: rope, ice, rock, and snow anchor protection; basecamp and altitude tents; cookers, fuel, high-altitude food, walkie-talkie radios, bamboo marker wands, etcetera. Please see the above EQUIPMENT link, to study what we bring for your use and safety.

Safety:Our expeditions are allowed access to our extensive communications equipment, medical supplies, first-aid kits, medical oxygen, and a gamow bag in case of emergency. Thank you for being a well-prepared and safe team member!

*What is not included?

Visa and Passport: Your Nepal visa is conveniently purchased by you upon arrival at the Kathmandu airport. It is not necessary to purchase a Nepalese visa prior to landing in Nepal. In 2016, the cost of a 90 day visa was $100 USD. 30 days visa cost $60. Please bring cash and 2 extra passport-sized photos (extra photos are necessary to obtain the visa in the airport). Thank you. Please Note: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months fom the END of the expedition and contain at least 2 blank pages.

Additional expenses like bottled or canned drinks on the trek, tips and gratuities, and expenses of a personal nature (ie: laundry or gift shopping) are not included

We recommend the following tip for our group staff: Everest Glacier School : $150. Expect to pay the above tip no matter what.(photo right by Elselien te Hennepe: A view of Swayambhunath Stupa, the "Monkey Temple". It is the most ancient and enigmatic of all the holy shrines in Kathmandu valley. Swayambhunath's worshippers include Hindus, Vajrayana Buddhists of northern Nepal and Tibet, and the Newari Buddhists of central and southern Nepal. Each morning before dawn, hundreds of pilgrims will ascend the 365 steps that lead up the hill, file past the gilded Vajra (Tibetan: Dorje) and two lions guarding the entrance, and begin a series of clockwise circumambulations of the stupa. On each of the four sides of the main stupa there are a pair of big eyes. These eyes are symbolic of God's all-seeing perspective).

Please click one of the links below to view that section of our Everest View Glacier School daily itinerary or scroll down(photo right by Valerie Hovland: A great view across the Cho La Glacier where we conduct our training lessons).

Note: This is a proposed schedule, which has been developed through previous trips. The actual itinerary of your trip can differ depending on such factors as weather and local conditions. For example, the trip may finish earlier than these dates, or we may need every single day of the schedule. Thank you for being patient and flexible when coming to a foreign country like Nepal.

Arriving in Kathmandu: ; (photo right by Tunc Findik: Namche Bazaar, the capital of the Sherpa people. See this unique village on our trek to and from basecamp);

Please click one of the links below to view that section for the route for our Everest View Glacier School, or scroll down (photo right by Valerie Hovland: A great view across the Cho La Glacier where we conduct our training lessons).

In just 3 weeks, our Everest-View Glacier School may be the easiest way to learn the fundamentals of glacier travel with ice-axe and crampons, while gaining high altitude experience in the spectacular grandeur of the Khumbu Himalaya. We will teach you everything you need to know to make a summit attempt towards the end of our itinerary on the fun trekking peak of Lobuche East (6119 metres/20,075 feet). It is a beautiful place to learn, practice your skills and to take an up-close look at the high peaks of the Himalaya, including Everest, the famous south face of Lhotse, Makalu and the north side of Ama Dablam(photo right by Valerie Hovland: Climbers ascending the summit ridge of Lobuche East. You can see all the way down to the lake where we set up basecamp).

Our Everest View Glacier School maximizes many years of accumulated wisdom in the Himalaya, a long and proven record of safe and fun trekking through Nepal, Tibet, China, Africa, and many other fascinating destinations around the world. Our friendly guides and trip leaders are experts at leading interesting groups of men and women throughout Nepal. In addition, they have an intimate knowledge of the Sherpa people and customs and temples and shrines in each picturesque village you stroll through. We must also give credit to our polite and highly experienced, hard-working trekking sherpas, cooking, and office staff. Many of these excellent sherpas who work for us have an intimate knowledge of the beautiful trek to Everest and the comfortable villages we will visit, because this is their home region. They live in this land grew up on farms here, have family and friends in the fun areas we will pass through, making our visit less of the usual tourist experience and more involved with the unique and genuine culture of the Khumbu Valley. They go out of their way to help make your visit remarkable, enjoyable along the way, and create lasting ties with the majestic landscapes and the inhabitants who reside there. This is a truly wonderful trek with an enthusiastic and polite group of friends.

Itinerary-

The proposed itinerary allows enough time for proper acclimatization and rest days. The weather at this time of year is normally quite good and stable.

Weather-

Throughout the trek temperatures can vary from 27°c to -7°c ( 80°f to 20°f). At higher elevations, the temperature can vary from 16°c to -23°c (60°f to -10°f). At night we stay in warm, comfortable teahouse lodges for most of the trek. The wind is the most chilling factor, and can be quite variable, with everything from a flat calm, to brisk at basecamp. There may be snow, rain, mosquitoes in wet areas, blowing dust, heat, and bright sunshine. It is slightly chillier during April trip than in May or October. The coldest portion of the trek is the morning we walk up Lobuche East, where it can get below freezing on average and it may be windy. back to top

Arriving in Kathmandu-

The trip begins in the ancient and colorful city of Kathmandu, and the staff will personally meet your flight at Tribhuvan airport. Tour Kathmandu, a beautiful exotic Hindu and Buddhist city with an abundance of ancient temples. If this is your first visit, we strongly suggest you tour the temples, including the Monkey Temple, atop a small mountain above the Vishnu Mathi river and the Thamel neighborhood, the Pashupatinath Temple, where the cremations are conducted along the Bagmathi River, Boudhanath , an enourmous white massive stupa first built in 600 AD that you can walk around, absolving a lifetime's sin, and finish at the Kathmandu Durbar or King's Square, where the 400 year old Kathmandu capital was situated.

Touring the exotic temples of Bakhtapur, in the Kathmandu Valley (Felix Berg). A holy man praying near the Baghmati River in Kathmandu (Chris Kinny).

We will take this day to finalize arrangements (such as issuing your trekking permit, etc), in between enjoying food and drink at some of the many westernized restaurants in the Thamel neighborhood. Today is an ideal day to pick up extra bits of trekking and climbing kit from the plethora of mountain shops selling a surprising variety of good quality new and used mountain clothing, shoes, and nearly everything you might find in a trekking shop in your home country. The local "supermarkets" are great places to stock up on imported chocolates, sweets, and some surprisingly tasty local trekking foods like energy bars, nuts, granola bars, etcetera. back to top

Trekking to Cho La Basecamp-

In a small twin engine, twin pilot, 18 seat propeller driven "Twin-Otter", the trusty workhorse of the Khumbu-Everest trekking trade, we will fly for 40 minutes from Kathmandu to the airstrip at 2,840 metre/9,300 foot-high Lukla and stroll a couple of hours down and through the forested and farmed Dudh Khosi valley with a small clean river ripping through a narrow green rocky mountain studded valley to the picturesque small town of Phakding, where we camp in a field on the river bank at 2,650 metres/8,700 feet. Throughout the entire trek, every day, our bags will be carried by porters and yaks. Interacting with the people transporting our equipment, as well as their livestock, will be an interesting part of our trip, and allow us to set foot into the local culture.

We arise early and have a typically wholesome breakfast of omelettes, toast, porridge and hot drinks, then walk 4-7 hours up through the fir trees and ever-rarer herds of Himalayan Tahr, an endangered large wild mountain sheep. Topping the rim of the Sun Khosi Gorge, we slowly and steadily walk into the steep village of 3,440 metre/12,800 foot high Namche Bazaar, the capital of the Sherpa region, which we will have time to explore. It’s important to drink lots of liquids during today's trek, and you will certainly appreciate the stunning views of Numbur Peak (6,959 metres/23,000 feet) over several cups of tea, in our terraced campsite, in what used to be a potato field on the upper slopes of the town. In 30 minutes walk on a trail traversing the slope towards Everest, we will see our first views of the stunning Ama Dablam and perhaps Everest itself. back to top

The Himalayan Tahr can grow to a metre high and weigh upwards of 100 kg. (http://www.americazoo.com/goto/index/mammals/420.htm). A Himalayan musk deer. They have very interesting well-developed upper canines, and in males these may reach a length of 7 cm / 3 inches and protrude from the mouth in a fang-like manner (WWF H-W Schuldei Leipzig Zoo). One of the varieties of grouse pheasants that are abundant in Everest National Park. Males have a bright plume under their tail that they raise like a peacock periodically as they putt around (mckaysavage).

We rest, acclimate, and relax, in order to soak in the comfortable exotic landscape of this Sherpa kingdom. One of the main features of spending a day in Namche is the opportunity to walk 15 minutes down the slope to partake in the tumult of this bustling sherpa and tourist village, especially the many tasty restaurants, tea-shops, pubs, billiard rooms, and internet cafes. All of the electricity here is locally made micro-hydro electric power, and the telephone and internet connections are wireless/satellite.

From Namche we drop down to the river and the famous tea-stop of Fungki Thangka and have a steep climb up through tree nurseries where you could help with the replanting of the Khumbu valley, which is starting to show signs of over-forestation by sherpas heating water for trekker's hot showers. If you are interested in helping, please check out our Service Trek website. Throughout this part of the walk, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for a glimpse of endangered herds of Tahr. Finally cresting a rise in a forest of gorgeous Sub-alpine fir and Hemlock, walking at the feet of the Khumbu giant peaks of Kusum Kanguru and Thamserku, we reach the Buddhist monastery at Tengboche, which we can visit. The monastery burned in 1989, apparently due to an electric kettle being left on. Tragically the gompa's book collection was ravaged, and during the following years, groups of monks were seen spending hours each day writing with ball-point pens on stenographer's pads, trying to recall ancient texts from memory, which were burned when the fire tore through the library. Here we will find inspiring views of Mt. Everest , Nuptse, Lhotse , Ama Dablam, and a very welcome tea and overnight stop. back to top

At the gompa of Tengboche, which burned in 1989, Steve doing some exploring (Liz Stevens). The Pangboche Lama blesses all of us. Here he is blessing our trek employee and trek leader, Ms. Kandu Sherpa. Kandu's sister Maya works for SummitClimb and has become the first Nepalese woman to climb Ama Dablam , Pumori, and Cho Oyu . Kandu would also like to become a climbing Sherpa one day (Liz Stevens).

We will pass through Pangboche, 3900 metres/12,800 feet, a religious village and the home of the Khumbu Lama, the most respected Buddhist leader in the upper Khumbu valley. From Pangboche village, one can enjoy the most stunning views of Ama Dablam, Everest, and the imposing south face of Lhotse.

From Pangboche we enjoy a walk along the beautiful Dudh Kosi gorge, to the enourmous flat valley where lies the village of Pheriche. At 4,250 metres/13,900 feet, it’s where the famous Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) health clinic is located. Pheriche is the last permanent Sherpa settlement. Here we have spectacular views of Nuptse, Lobuche, Cholatse, Ama Dablam and many others. We will stay here for the night. back to top

Two bridges over the Pangboche gorge. The new bridge is the higher one. Sherpas love to hang prayer flags all over their bridges. Looking down on Pangboche at 3,900 metres/12,800 feet (Steve Miscione).

The next day entails a few hours of walking up a rocky slope to the former yak herder's outpost of Dughla at 4620 metres/15,150 feet, where a comfortable lodge provides an ideal spot to spend the rest of the day and night, where we can relax, rest, acclimate and drink tea. From Dughla we make the short trek to the village of Dzongla (4840 metres/15,900 feet). From Dzongla, we make our final trek up to Cho La basecamp (5400 metres/17,700 feet).back to top

Monuments to fallen climbers, known as "chortens" atop the Dugla Hill, with Ama Dablam in the background (Steve Miscione). The view of Lobuche peak from the teahouse at Lobuche at 4,930metres/16,200 feet (Liz Stevens).

One interesting thing about trek life is being woken up every morning by these Himalayan Ular Snow Cocks (Web). Sturdy and hardworking local gentleman carrying beer to sell to tourists in the teahouses (DL Mazur). These strong yaks carry our expedition equipment (Liz Strevens).

Cho La Glacier Training-

After taking a rest day in Cho La basecamp we will begin several days of training before setting out for Lobuche East. Our school will consist of learning and practicing glacier rope techniques, ice-climbing with ice-axe and crampons, crevasse rescue and snow-camping. There will be ample opportunity for you to test out equipment, ask lots of questions and, most of all, have fun. Our training will be conducted on the Cho La Glacier above basecamp. back to top

Team members on the Cho La Glacier having fun. Team members practicing ascending and descending safely on the Cho La during our special training sessions. Climbers near the summit of Lobuche East (Valerie Hovland).

Climbing Lobuche East-

After we have finished our training, we will make the brief and beautiful trek to Lobuche East. Basecamp is located at 5550 metres/18,200 feet in a rocky hollow, near a beautiful hidden lake at the base of the glaciated South-West Face.

From the northern end of the lake near basecamp, we climb slabby terraces and snow slopes beneath the main glaciers of the South-West Face and gain access to the ridge overlooking Lobuche and the Khumbu Glacier. We may used fixed rope on some of the stepper sections going up depending on conditions. At the point where the glacier face and ridge meet we will establish our high camp(photo right by Valerie Hovland: A sherpa looking down the route of Lobuche East from just below the summit).

From the high camp we will continue up the sinuous snow arête to its junction with the summit ridge. The route to the East Peak follows the summit ridge north-west across several snow bumps along the way. Upon reaching the snow summit you are treated to magnificent views of Everest, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, and Makalu. back to top

Team on the summit of Lobuche on a perfect sunny day. Team member and sherpa on the summit of Lobuche (Valerie Hovland).

Optional Everest Basecamp and Kala Pattar Extension-

From the town of Lobuche, a short day up the Khumbu glacier takes us to the rocky outpost of Gorak Shep, with three cozy teahouses at 5,160 metres/16,900 feet. We will tuck into a comfortable tea house and marvel at the lovely views of Everest , Nuptse, Pumori, Lobuche, and so many other vast mountains that tower around us, as if our tiny teahouse was a crumb of bread in the jaws of a dragon. We eat and drink a lot up here, so you will have a good chance to rest and recuperate. The nights can be very chilly up here, so you will enjoy bundling up in your warm, fleece, pile, or duvet/down jacket, and wearing your wooly hat, especially in the evening. back to top

One interesting thing about trek life is being woken up every morning by these Himalayan Ular Snow Cocks (Web).

Ms. Elselien te Hennepe, looking out into the Imja Tso Lake on the left of the photo on our October 2005 trek. Behind her, on the right side of the photo is Island Peak basecamp at 5,100 meters (16,728 feet) (DL Mazur).

With an early start we trek to the top of Kala Patar (5,545 metres/18,200 feet) to see the breathtaking views of Everest . Here is where Shipton stood in 1952, to plan the successful ascent of Everest . After climbing to the top of Kala Patar, we shall walk down to Gorak Shep and have a relaxing lunch, followed by a short walk down to Lobuche and camp. We now walk back down the valley, retracing our steps to Pheriche, and enjoy the final stunning views of the stunning Everest massif.

Those of us who are feeling well will wake up early and walk up to Everest basecamp which lies atop the Khumbu glacier at 5,300 metres/17,400 feet. There is a good trail on rocks and scee all the way to basecamp, where you will see several spectacular crashed Russian helicopters. Then we will return to Gorak Shep for another warm night, lots of tea, and a delicious meal.

Going Home-

After packing up all of your equipment, supplies, and rubbish, you will make the return trek to Lukla. The following morning, you are up early, and fly back to Kathmandu, where you can enjoy a hot shower and a grand Nepalese western-style feast. In Kathmandu, you can have a day to relax, celebrate, tour the valley, write postcards, and do a bit more shopping, before heading home. We hope you had a safe, enjoyable, and successful adventure. Thanks for joining in! back to top

Leadership: Friendly leader AngSange Sherpa has led 14 Glacier Schools, and is an excellent instructor and a very helpful person who teaches everything you need to know. Organization:During this full-service expedition, you will benefit from the organization provided by Dan Mazur. He is a relaxed, friendly and well organized person, and a highly-skilled professional with years of experience in getting people to the summit and back down with the highest attention to safety. He has been leading and organizing successful and safe overland, trekking, and mountaineering expeditions for over 20 years, to Tibet, Nepal, Tadjikistan, Pakistan, India, China, Africa, and North America. For more about Dan, please "click" on the Leadership link above.

A meeting on the roof of our hotel, where we describe the plan of our expedition. The audience, our trekkers and climbers. Felix and Arnold demonstrating the members high mountain equipment before a shopping trip to one of Kathmandu's 50 mountain shops to purchase any needed essentials for the members (Franck Pitula).

Note: Our leaders are not guides. They are there to coordinate the expedition and may or may not climb with you personally on the mountain. Our leaders will try to do everything they can to help you, but it is your responsibility to have the skills, strength, equipment, etcetera to do this climb.If you are unsure, you may wish to hire a personal sherpa.

Organization: Your expedition is organized by our British, European, American, Nepalese, Tibetan, and Chinese office personnel working on-the-ground together as well as in your home-country. For example, one of our lead organizers is the very experienced Dan Mazur, trekking in Nepal since 1986 and climber-leader-organizer of Everest, K2, and 12 "eight-thousand-metre-peaks". He is a relaxed, friendly and well organized person, and a highly-skilled professional with 25 years experience in helping people explore the mountains, with the highest attention to detail, comfort, and safety.

Sherpas:We hire Sherpas and high altitude porters in a support capacity, and now have 23 of these very experienced, friendly, strong, helpful, and loyal people on our staff, including some of Nepal's best climbers and some of Nepal's only women Sherpas. Some of our Sherpas have been to the summit of Everest more than 7 times and led treks up Lobuche East countless times. One of our lady sherpas just became the first Nepalese woman to reach the summit of Ama Dablam, Pumori, and Cho Oyu. Many of our sherpas have personally assisted foreign climbers to the summits of more than ten of the highest peaks in the Himalaya.

Note: We strive to provide one group sherpa for each 3-4 members. The group sherpa's duty is to carry group equipment such as tents, rope, food, and gas up and down the mountain. Group sherpas help to setup and take down camps. They are also there to try to assist in any rescues, so the other team members may not have to give up their summit attempt to rescue a sick member. They will most likely climb and trek with the team most of the time.

Extensive experience is not required for Everest View Glacier School. The most important thing is for members to be in adequate walking fitness. You may attempt this school as a novice and we will teach you what you need to know. No further experience is required.

Our leaders and our team-climbing-sherpas are there to ensure you make it up to the summit and back down safely. When traveling above basecamp, members must climb with another team member or Sherpa at all times.

We welcome you to join our expedition as an individual and most of our members do. We plan to assemble our team members into groups so you should not have to climb alone, although occasionally it may happen. By the way, we are unable to accommodate 'soloists' who are not willing to climb together with other team members or sherpas from our team. The main expectation is that members will be prepared to climb with a team member or sherpa above basecamp if possible. This practice ensures that the entire team has a fun, successful, and safe time on the mountain.back to top

Fitness and Health:

It's not necessary to be in perfect shape to enjoy this trekking peak. If you can have fun walking for3-6 hours with a few 20 minute breaks mixed in, then you can easily accomplish this trek.

To participate in this expedition you must be a fit and active walker in good health. Prior to joining our group, please see your doctor and obtain the necessary permission and advice, as well as medications for travel in extremes of altitude, and also for exotic locales.

Note: You can purchase all necessary medicines inexpensively with no doctor's prescription in Kathmandu. Please make sure you have physically trained yourself very thoroughly before joining this climb of the highest peak in the world. For a list of the medications we recommend you purchase, please click here. We look forward to climbing together with you!back to top

Training Prior to the Expedition:

If you are in good shape from regular exercise, it is likely you are already prepared to enjoy this trek. If you feel like it would be in you interest to exercise before the trip, there are some fun training tips below.

In the beginning, to see how you handle the training, and to avoid muscle strains that could slow your training down, you may wish to use shorter more frequent but less taxing workouts, and take more rest. After you get "up to speed" as it were, you could increase the rigour. Older walkers, please take note of the latter. Also remember that swimming is a fun and excellent form of training because it does not put stress upon your joints. Thank you.

In order to train well for your trip you should work toward excercising a few times a week for about 30 minutes each time.

Adequate rest and a well balanced diet are also essential to avoid injury and illness before the trip. You should sleep at least 8 hours per night, and eat 3 nutritious meals a day. Don't forget that you will perspire when you train, so try to drink lots of water.

Utilising both gym equipment and the great outdoors will provide more balanced exercise. You should try to accomplish at least half of your workouts outside. This could include walking, running, and cycling, but above all should be fun! Hillwalking with a pack weighing 5-10 Kilos/10-20 pounds is good preparation for trekking.

We want you to arrive for your expedition in top shape, so please take plenty of rest and do not over-do it. back to top

Training During the Expedition:

Upon arrival in Kathmandu members are requested to participate in one to two days of orientation to how the trip will be conducted. There will be plenty of time for discussion, question answering, and for equipment review and purchasing. Training will be conducted both in Kathmandu, in basecamp and on the Cho La Glacier in the areas of climbing techniques, glacier travel, rope fixing, ascending, descending, safety techniques, rappels (abseils), belaying, medical equipment and procedures, communications equipment, camping techniques and high-altitude cooking. For the expert and beginner alike it is important to enhance skills, ensure safety-awareness, and work together as a team.back to top

We hope that you will arrive for your Everest View Glacier School in good health, both mentally and physically prepared, so we can work together as a team and have a successful expedition.

Below is a detailed list of equipment you need to bring for the Everest View Glacier School and at the bottom is a description of team equipment that we bring for you. (Click a link below to go directly to that section of the personal equipment list or just scroll down):

1 pair Gore-Tex trousers, salopettes, or bibs. Waterproof/breathable with full side zips;

Your clothing should be kept dry using waterproof stuff sacks, bin-liners, or large plastic bags.back to top

Feet-

1 pair Double Plastic boots (Koflach);

Modern single waterproof-leather climbing boots with special insulation for cold weather/winter climbing on 4000 metre/13,000 foot high peaks are OK, as long as they will fit comfortably with two thick pair of socks and a vapour barrier liner and the boot will fit the crampon perfectly.

1 pair sturdy leather walking boots with good ankle support (we mean leather trekking, not climbing boots) for the trek;

At least 1 closed cell foam kari-mats. We do not recommend inflatable mats, as we have never seen one not puncture. You can buy these non inflatable mats very inexpensively in Kathmandu. Why carry foam mats around the world, when you can purchase them inexpensively in Kathmandu?

Your sleeping bags should be kept dry using waterproof stuff sacks, bin-liners, or large plastic bags. back to top

1 small bottle anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox, Acetylzolamide. For more about this medication, please review the information in our Questions section;

Do not bring sleeping pills. They are a respiratory depressant;

1 small bottle of water purification tablets or water filter;

1 set earplugs;

extra prescription glasses, contact lens supplies. Contact lens wearers, please bring glasses in case of emergency. A new pair could be quickly made in Kathmandu, Lhasa, or Kashgar for just $20. Please order upon arrival if you are interested.back to top

Personal Food-

On the mountain we supply plenty of food for you to cook 3 hot meals each day. This food will consist of soup, local cheese & sausage, biscuits, dried noodles, potatoes, rice, porridge, butter, dried and tinned vegetables, fruit, meats, and fish, tea with milk and sugar, powdered juice drink, and drinking chocolate. Our sherpas will be carrying this food to the higher camps.

We ask each member to bring their own imported daily snack and energy foods. We do not provide cold “snack” food such as chocolate or "energy-bars". We ask that you bring or buy your own "snack" or daily cold energy food, 2-3 kilos/4-6 pounds is a good amount. A growing variety of imported foods such as European and American cheeses, chocolates, biscuits, cookies, nuts, and locally made power-bars are now available in Kathmandu, at realistic prices. However, imported power bars, GU, re-hydration drinks, dehydrated food, "freeze-dried meals", imported cheese and sausage are not available. If you want these items, you must bring them from your home country.Many of our members, especially Britons, Europeans, and Australians with tiny baggage allowances, now purchase their daily snacks in Kathmandu. Our schedule in Kathmandu allows plenty of time for shopping.

basecamp entertainment. It is good to bring additional items which you have found to be useful on previous expeditions. For example: paperback books, playing cards, ipod mp3 player, short-wave radio, game boys, musical instruments, ear plugs, lots of batteries, etc.;

travel clothes for basecamp and in town;

Please be sure and bring your patience and try to keep an open, relaxed, positive and friendly attitude as travelling in this part of the world may be very different than what you are used to, but things always seem to fall into place at the last moment. Thank you.

This is not an exhaustive list. Please submit other equipment concerns and suggestions. Thank you. back to top

Group Equipment:

We provide a plethora of top-quality, and time-tested equipment, group gear, and supplies, including: rope, ice, rock, and snow anchor protection; trekking tents; cookers, fuel, high-altitude food, walkie-talkie radios, bamboo marker wands, etcetera. Please see the group EQUIPMENT link, in the menu bars above to study what we bring for your use and safety.back to top

Please fill out our online request information form . Please be sure and tell us which expeditions you are interested in and mention your experience, qualifications, etcetera . Please send us your email, postal address, and telephone number (which will remain absolutely confidential, we never share your addresses, phone numbers, or any personal details).

Firstly, carefully read all of the associated information here on the website, ask questions and discuss it with us, print out your application from this website, then complete, sign, and post the application forms, and additional required documents immediately. Include your 10 percent refundable deposit, passport photocopy, 2 passport size photos (name printed on reverse), proof of insurance, and other required documents such as flight itinerary (may be sent now or follow later).

Here is a checklist of what we need to have in your file at least two months before the trip begins. We encourage you to send an electronic scan of all of the below documents, please be sure they are signed. Thank you:

[ ] Completed Payment. Please restate payments you made and what those payments were for.[ ] Trip Registration Form (part of 4 page form),[ ] Signed Participant Release and Acknowledgement of Risk (part of 4 page form),[ ] Signed Terms and Conditions of Booking (part of 4 page form), [ ] Signed Medical Form (part of 4 page form), [ ] 1 Passport sized photo, which is a simple, very clear picture of your face, sent as an email scan. (We simply require a picture of your face against a white background. You can take it yourself for free with your own digital camera or smart phone),[ ] Exact photocopy of passport identification pages, [ ] Exact photocopy of complete flight itinerary, [ ] Proof of mountain rescue and repatriation insurance, [ ] Proof of travel, accident, and repatriation insurance (cancellation insurance is advised).

Please do let us know what further questions you may have about the registration process, or anything else for that matter. Thank you.

We are friendly and highly experienced expedition leaders, climbers, trekkers and organizers, with a 17+ year track record of building high-quality, safe, friendly and fun climbing & trekking teams and succesfully placing our team members on the summit, helping them achieve their goals, and getting home safely. Our leaders and our top team of sherpas are not licensed guides, but some of the most qualified Himalayan mountain specialists available. We are there to assist the entire group. This is a team effort. Our leaders and sherpas are there to help all members safely and successfully climb within their abilities; including an equal chance at the summit for everyone in the team.

Extensive experience is not required for our Everest View Glacier School. The most important thing is for members to be in adequate walking fitness. You may attend as a novice and we will teach you what you need to know. No further climbing experience is required.

It's not necessary to be in perfect shape to enjoy this school. If you can have fun walking for3-6 hours with a few 20 minute breaks mixed in, then you can easily accomplish this course.

If you are in good shape from regular exercise, it is likely you are already prepared to enjoy this course. If you feel like it would be in you interest to exercise before the trip, there are some fun training tips below.

In the beginning, to see how you handle the training, and to avoid muscle strains that could slow your training down, you may wish to use shorter more frequent but less taxing workouts, and take more rest. After you get "up to speed" as it were, you could increase the rigour. Older walkers, please take note of the latter. Also remember that swimming is a fun and excellent form of training because it does not put stress upon your joints. Thank you.

In order to train well for your trip you should work toward excercising a few times a week for about 30 minutes each time.

Adequate rest and a well balanced diet are also essential to avoid injury and illness before the trip. You should sleep at least 8 hours per night, and eat 3 nutritious meals a day. Don't forget that you will perspire when you train, so try to drink lots of water.

Utilising both gym equipment and the great outdoors will provide more balanced exercise. You should try to accomplish at least half of your workouts outside. This could include walking, running, and cycling, but above all should be fun! Hillwalking with a pack weighing 5-10 Kilos/10-20 pounds is good preparation for trekking.

Remember that, above all, trekking is fun and you should always enjoy yourself.

We recommend that you shop carefully and frugally for your clothing and climbing equipment. Below we have listed some of the least expensive shops we know about in Kathmandu, UK, Seattle, Canada, Chamonix, and Hong Kong. If you hear of any others, we would like to know about them, as we wish to tell our members where they can purchase equipment affordably.

Kathmandu has a wide variety of inexpensive used and competitively priced equipment, boots, shoes, and clothing; In over 50 well-stocked mountaineering and trekking shops. We recommend you purchase your boots and crampons in Kathmandu, where a very wide selection is available for reasonable prices. Also, be sure to purchase your closed cell kari-mat foam mattresses in Kathmandu. Why bring duffle bags of foam mats on your international flight? Please send us an email to request a Kathmandu price list. If you need a pair of high altitude mitts, we don't recommend Kathmandu, but rather suggest you check out mittens by Wild Country or Outdoor Research (the OR Alti has been popular with our Cho Oyu, Everest, and Lhotse summitters).

For prices at Kathmandu shops, please "click here". For information about using your credit, bank, cash, ATM card in Nepal, please "click here". For more information about how much cash to bring, please"click here".

Below we have listed several inexpensive shops around the world. It may be best to telephone them directly with your questions, as they are very busy and do not always answer email enquiries in a timely manner. When you do contact them, always be sure to mention your name and the name of our company and expedition leaders to them, as we send them many customers and they often give our members substantial discounts. You may or may not choose to purchase the product from them, but it should give you a good idea of what the fair price for the equipment should be. We especially recommend Second Ascent in Seattle, as it has a very large selection of second hand, discontinued, and rental mountain climbing equipment and clothing.

There will be ample time at the beginning of the expedition to review equipment and purchase or hire/rent any needed kit from the inexpensive shops in Kathmandu.

We encourage you to join us as an individual team member. Most of our members join as individuals, our team dynamics work well, and we are able to build successful and safe groups of people that enjoy climbing together.

Because there are a group of you, you can benefit from our group discounts:

2-3 persons receive a five percent discount. 4-5 persons receive a ten percent discount, and 6-8 members receive a 15 percent discount (we also provide discounts for doctors, nurses, and medical practitioners, returning members and combining trips). If you would be so kind as to send the email and postal addresses of the other person(s) in the group, we would be glad to send them the information and a colour card as well. Thanks.

We send out a newsletter with all of the logistics for your arrival in Nepal approximately one month prior to the expedition. At this point, we usually share your email address with the other team members, so you may meet one another.

Throughout the trek temperatures can vary from 27°c to -7°c ( 80°f to 20°f). At higher elevations, the temperature can vary from 16°c to -23°c (60°f to -10°f). At night we stay in warm, comfortable teahouse lodges for most of the trek. The wind is the most chilling factor, and can be quite variable, with everything from a flat calm, to brisk at basecamp. There may be snow, rain, mosquitoes in wet areas, blowing dust, heat, and bright sunshine. It is slightly chillier during the April trip than in May or October. The coldest portion of the trek is the morning we walk up Lobuche East, where it can get below freezing on average and it may be windy.

Your Nepal visa is conveniently purchased by you upon arrival at the Kathmandu airport. It is not necessary to purchase a Nepalese visa prior to landing in Nepal. The cost of a 90 day visa is approximately $100 USD & a 30 day visa costs approximately $60. Please bring cash and 2 extra passport-sized photos (extra photos are necessary to obtain the visa in the airport). Please Note: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months fom the END of the expedition and contain at least 2 blank pages.

Many medical precautions are advised, including vaccinations. Please see your local tropical/travel medicine clinic, physician, or general practitioner. There are also numerous immunization resources on the internet, and one of the best is from Kathmandu's famous CIWEC Clinic:

http://ciwec-clinic.com/

Note: You can purchase all necessary medicines inexpensively with no doctor's prescription in Kathmandu, but we recommend you obtain the vaccinations in your home country.

If you decide to cancel your membership, your payment will be refunded according to the refund policy contained in the registration forms. We urge you to purchase cancellation insurance whenever possible. We are able to hold your payment with no penalty, if you decide to go on another trip at a later date.

We rarely have ever canceled a trip. If we decide to cancel the trip, 100 percent of your payment shall be returned.

Due to the nature and heavy costs of government and operator permits, and the harsh "no-refund" policies of third-world tour operators and government mountaineering offices, We must adhere to a stringent refund policy. PARTICIPANTS ARE ADVISED TO PURCHASE TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE. Specific cancellation and refund policies may supersede those enumerated below. If you cancel your trip membership 60 or more days before scheduled departure, this will result in an 75% refund. 59-30 days before scheduled departure will result in a 50% refund. 29-14 days before scheduled departure will result in a 25% refund, 13 or less days before scheduled departure results in zero refund.

We encourage you to meet with the expedition leader(s) during our Lecture Tour . Each year our leaders tour the world and present slide and video lectures detailing their recent climbs in order to raise money for charities/non-profits, such as the MountEverestFoundation.org . Please enquire as to the possibility of hosting or attending such a presentation in your locale.

All of our full-service expeditions include sherpas for the group. We hire Sherpas and high altitude porters in a support capacity, and now have 23 of these very experienced, friendly, strong, helpful, and loyal people on our staff, including some of Nepal's best climbers and some of Nepal's only women Sherpas. Some of our Sherpas have been to the summit of Everest more than 7 times. One of our lady sherpas just became the first Nepalese woman to reach the summit of Ama Dablam, Pumori, and Cho Oyu. Many of our sherpas have personally assisted foreign climbers to the summits of more than ten of the highest peaks in the Himalaya.

Note: We strive to provide one group sherpa for each 3-4 members. The group sherpa's duty is to help the members and to carry group equipment such as tents, rope, food, and gas up and down the mountain. Group sherpas help to setup and take down camps. They are also there to try to assist in any rescues, so the other members do not have to give up their summit attempt to rescue a sick member. Our group Sherpas will help you throughout the climb and they will also help you during the ascent up to the summit and back down. If you need more sherpa assistance, we encourage you to hire a personal sherpa.

Your expedition is organized by our British, European, American, Nepalese, Tibetan, and Chinese office personnel working on-the-ground together as well as in your home-country. For example, one of our lead organizers is the very experienced Dan Mazur, trekking in Nepal since 1986 and climber-leader-organizer of Everest, K2, and 12 "eight-thousand-metre-peaks". He is a relaxed, friendly and well organized person, and a highly-skilled professional with 25 years experience in helping people explore the mountains, with the highest attention to detail, comfort, and safety.

It is customary that each expedition member will make a contribution toward staff gratuities. Our staff are extremely proud of their efforts, and receiving a gratuity is a matter of the utmost honour, a mark of recognition of a job well done. We will "pool" these tips together and then, as a group, we will vote on the distribution of the tips to the individual staff. This method has seemed to be the fairest and has worked very well in the past. Our staff of more than 23 Sherpas is an extremely loyal and hard working group. You will be duly impressed by their level of effort and reliability. The main reason our staff are consistently some of the hardest working people in town, on trek, and on the mountain, is that they know they can rely on the generosity of our members to consistently provide a good tip. Please be sure to keep up the tradition, for future team members, as you have benefited from the reliable generosity of team members who came before you. Thank you very much.

There are two types of tips, the staff tip, and the summit-attempt bonus.

The "staff tip" will be $75-$100+, £40-£50+, €65-€80+ per foreign climber. Expect to pay this tip no matter what.

For the "summit-attempt bonus" a group Sherpa who helps you to climb above the high camp or up to the summit and back down, expect to pay $50, £25, €35 per sherpa. That amount of money may be split between the climbers in the summit party.

Please do. Clothing and equipment gifts are highly appreciated. Also, Sherpa children and wives and sisters and mothers and fathers and grandmothers and grandfathers need clothing and shoes too. Please remember that sherpas come in all shapes and sizes, from children to adults. Items that are very small or very large can be traded for items that fit. There are men and women Sherpas, and they may be tall, short, extra-large, large, medium or small. The clothing and equipment you bring will be collected from you at the end of each expedition, then stock-piled by the lead staff and handed out to the Sherpas at the beginning of each expedition. In this way, we can ensure that they will actually use it during the expedition and not sell it immediately.

Here is a list of items that are needed broken into sections. Please click a link below to go directly to that list or scroll down.

Members are men and women from around the world who enjoy touring, walking, climbing, camping, and being in the mountains with friends. Our youngest member was age 18, and our oldest 74 years of age. The average age is 36, with many members in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. We have neither a lower nor an upper limit on group size.

PLEASE NOTE: We seek out members who can bring to this expedition a friendly spirit of team-work, as high altitude climbing and trekking are all about cooperation and working together and getting on with your team-mates.

Quite often, during our lecture tours, we organize meets of our team-members. Please enquire as to the possibility of this in your area. Also, in our GLACIER SCHOOLS past, present, future, and prospective members are able to meet and climb together. Approximately one month prior to the expedition we send out a newsletter with all of the logistics for your arrival in Nepal. At this point, we usually share your email address with the other team members, so you may meet one another.

We have been told that our members and groups get along extremely well, and members are pleased to learn how enjoyable our expeditions are, and often say how pleasantly surprised they are by how well our team members and staff and leaders function together.

Most members prefer a single room while in Kathmandu. Our trek-tents and high-altitude tents are based on sharing.

On Cho La and Lobuche East, it is common to have groups of as many as 5 people ascend and descend together. However, team members are individually clipped to the fixed line or may be roped up together. Each night, the groups will camp in an established campsite where there are multiple expedition tents. Throughout the climbing days and camping nights, our leaders and sherpas will be climbing and camping together with you to help set up tents and make sure you are staying healthy and safe and that things are going well.

If you did not join together with your climbing partner (many members join as individuals), you will have ample opportunity, during the training, approach/trekking, and first expedition days to determine who you would prefer to climb with. Depending upon the variable speed with which everyone is moving, these groups and partnerships can form and recombine several times throughout our expedition, where the pace is slow and careful.

The average group has probably been 5 people, with half of all expeditions having less, and half having more members. As we add members to our team, we hire more Sherpas to assist the group as a whole, bring additional supplies and equipment, and add additional leaders, assistant-leaders, and leaders-in-training.

We encourage you to join us as an individual team member. Most of our members join as individuals, our team dynamics work well, and we are able to build successful and safe groups of people that enjoy climbing together.

We offer a 5% discount for groups of 2 to 3, 10% for 4 to 8, 15% for 9 to 15, and 20% for 16 or more.

Can I earn a commission for referring my friends, colleagues, clients, or a group?Open in a new window

We offer a 5% cash "finders-fee", paid to you for each of your friends and colleagues who become a member of our team.

Often, someone is well-placed as a guide, lecturer, eminent community figure, travel agent or tour operator, etcetera. We are glad to offer increasing commissions based on multiple referrals to any of our various trips and classes in any calendar year:

Our prices reflect our honesty, integrity, efficiency, and emphasis on providing a safe, high quality expedition for a fair price, as our company was founded 17 years ago by climbers for climbers, and we still have some of the original founders with us and strive to maintain these priorities. In addition, we have very long experience and deep connections with the mountaineering authorities in Nepal and Tibet, and we are fortunate to receive favourable prices and better treatment. Even though our prices are less, our approach reflects the best possible value for money and emphasizes effective team building within our own expedition, as well as good relations with everyone on the mountain.

This is neither a luxury nor a 5-star expedition.

We are dedicated to a philosophy of encouraging mountaineering by keeping costs to a minimum and welcome team members who are willing to share in achieving our objectives. All of our European, British, or US staff and leaders began their Himalayan climbing careers as paying team members. Thus, we never charge more for a trip than we would be willing to pay ourselves. We have excellent relations with the government authorities who regulate the world of mountain climbing permits, liaison officers, yak drivers, etcetera.

Additionally, our staff of more than 23 Sherpas are very long term, loyal, hard-working, and honest employees. We take good care of our staff and their families, and they work for a fair wage in return for steady employment. We help our Sherpa's families in many ways, and have been building schools and hospitals in their villages, and helping to protect their local environments for several years.

We have 1 hard-working group sherpa per each 3-4 members (if you would like more sherpas, please hire one of our excellent 'personal sherpas'.

Our leaders are hard working and friendly British, American, European, or Australian expedition-leaders. They are not licensed 'mountain-guides' who have taken an expensive six year course and exams.

Our methods are basic, simple, and proven over more than 50 Himalayan expeditions.

Our equipment is good, simple, sturdy, time-tested and has been used before. We re-use our equipment and re-hire our staff over many expeditions.

Our agents and local on-the-ground operators are long term employees and they provide services at a competitive cost, in return for fair compensation and our return business, year-after-year.

Our food is well prepared, abundant, and nutritious, but we do not use expensive imported foods.

Leader: Cost includes a very experienced and qualified British, European, or American leader;

Organization: During this full-service expedition, you will benefit from the organization provided by Dan Mazur. He is a relaxed, friendly and well organized person, and a highly-skilled professional with years of experience in getting people to the summit and back down with the highest attention to safety. He has been leading and organizing successful and safe overland, trekking, and mountaineering expeditions for over 20 years, to Tibet, Nepal, Tadjikistan, Pakistan, India, China, Africa, and North America.

Nepalese Sherpa-English speaking guides for the group (we are also able to provide Sherpa French and German speakers);

Three meals per day during the trek, normally these may be cooked, but sometimes, during trekking, they may be a "packed-lunch".

Hotel :Your trip includes 2 free Kathmandu hotel nights at the beginning and two free Kathmandu hotel nights at the end of the trip but not food.For more information,please click here.

We recommend the following tip for our group staff: Everest Glacier School & Island Peak: $150. Expect to pay the above tip no matter what.

Also not included are:International flights, personal clothing and equipment (sleeping bag, boots, ice axe, etc.), visas, vaccinations, health, travel and rescue insurance, snack-energy food, gratuities, drinks on the road or in town, expenses of a personal nature, changes to the pre-planned itinerary (such as early departure), and expenses while traveling away from the group or leader. Not included are unexpected expenses, such as expenses due to emergencies, rescues, weather, political situations, transport delays, etc.

Throughout the trek temperatures can vary from 27°c to -7°c ( 80°f to 20°f). At higher elevations, the temperature can vary from 16°c to -23°c (60°f to -10°f). At night we stay in warm, comfortable teahouse lodges for most of the trek. The wind is the most chilling factor, and can be quite variable, with everything from a flat calm, to brisk at basecamp. There may be snow, rain, mosquitoes in wet areas, blowing dust, heat, and bright sunshine. It is slightly chillier during the April trip than in May or October. The coldest portion of the trek is the morning we walk up Lobuche East, where it can get below freezing on average and it may be windy.

Extensive experience is not required for our Everest View Glacier School. The most important thing is for members to be in adequate walking fitness. You may attend as a novice and we will teach you what you need to know. No further climbing experience is required.

You may attempt this climb as a novice and we will teach you what you need to know. No further experience is required.

We recommend that you begin with a look at our websites and literature, and read a book about mountain climbing, to familiarize yourself with the basics of ropes, anchors, clothing, etcetera ("Freedom of the Hills" is one such title).

You should attend a "climbing-class" at an "adventure-centre" or a "rock-gym" in your home town, where you can learn the basics of "how-to-tie-in", handle the rope and harness and carabiner and descender/abseil-rappel device, and see if you enjoy the thrill of safe climbing and cautious descending on a rope. Or, perhaps you can have a climbing-friend show you the basics.

We suggest you attend one of our leader's LECTURES to view videos and slides and listen to and discuss our previous expeditions, and learn about our teams, staff, see the equipment in action, study the routes, etcetera. Please visit our LECTURE site to view our upcoming lecture schedule.

Next, you may wish to join our Everest View Glacier School, where you will be able to hire and purchase the necessary equipment inexpensively, if you do not have it already. You will have an opportunity to experience for yourself: snow-camping, ice-climbing, glacier-travel, crevasse-rescue, placing and retrieving anchors, rope-ascending, rope-descending, and summiting a fun trekking peak of 6000 metres/20,000 feet.

Now, if you are fit and healthy, you could be ready for a climb of a mid-size Himalayan peak such asLakpa-Ri /North Col , Ama-Dablam , or Mustagata , where you can test your ability to handle altitude climbing, on an extended Himalayan expedition.

If you feel ready, you might want to try one of the world's fourteen highest "8000 metre peaks", such as Cho-Oyu .

It's not necessary to be in perfect shape to enjoy this fun glacier school. If you can have fun walking for3-6 hours with a few 20 minute breaks mixed in, you can easily accomplish it.

Prior to joining our group, please see your doctor and obtain the necessary permission and advice, as well as medications for travel in extremes of altitude, and also for exotic locales.

Note: You can purchase all necessary medicines inexpensively with no doctor's prescription in Kathmandu. On our application form we ask you to inform of us your condition, previous illnesses, health and medical situations we should know about, what medications you are taking, etcetera. Please help us to be informed by being honest and fully truthful when you complete it. Thank you.

If you are in good shape from regular exercise, it is likely you are already prepared to enjoy this course. If you feel like it would be in you interest to exercise before the trip, there are some fun training tips below.

In the beginning, to see how you handle the training, and to avoid muscle strains that could slow your training down, you may wish to use shorter more frequent but less taxing workouts, and take more rest. After you get "up to speed" as it were, you could increase the rigour. Older walkers, please take note of the latter. Also remember that swimming is a fun and excellent form of training because it does not put stress upon your joints. Thank you.

In order to train well for your trip you should work toward excercising a few times a week for about 30 minutes each time.

Adequate rest and a well balanced diet are also essential to avoid injury and illness before the trip. You should sleep at least 8 hours per night, and eat 3 nutritious meals a day. Don't forget that you will perspire when you train, so try to drink lots of water.

Utilising both gym equipment and the great outdoors will provide more balanced exercise. You should try to accomplish at least half of your workouts outside. This could include walking, running, and cycling, but above all should be fun! Hillwalking with a pack weighing 5-10 Kilos/10-20 pounds is good preparation for trekking.

We want you to arrive for your expedition in top shape, so please take plenty of rest and do not over-do it.

Yes, upon arrival in Kathmandu, all members are required to participate in a day of training and orientation (unless you have made special arrangements). Upon reaching Cho La basecamp, we will be conducting two days of training (unless you have made special arrangements) in the areas of climbing techniques, glacier travel, rope fixing, ascending, descending, safety techniques, rappels (abseils), belaying, medical equipment and procedures, communications equipment, camping techniques and high-altitude cooking. For the expert and beginner alike, it is important to review these techniques in order to enhance skills, ensure safety-awareness, and learn to work together as a team. Please make sure you have studied the standard books, such as "Mountaineering, Freedom of the Hills", before joining our team. Thank you for being a well-prepared and safe team member!

Our expedition includes transport of all of your equipment from Kathmandu to your destination, and returned to Kathmandu. While climbing on the trek, we DO NOT ask our full-service members to carry heavy group equipment (although it is an option if you really want to), such as tents, rope, fuel, food, etcetera. We employ climbing sherpas, and high-altitude porters, to carry group equipment and supplies. You will only need to carry a light rucksack on summit day with your personal equipment and clothing.

We recommend that you shop carefully and frugally for your clothing and climbing equipment. Below we have listed some of the least expensive shops we know about in Kathmandu, UK, Seattle, Canada, Chamonix, and Hong Kong. If you hear of any others, we would like to know about them, as we wish to tell our members where they can purchase equipment affordably.

Kathmandu has a wide variety of inexpensive used and competitively priced equipment, boots, shoes, and clothing; In over 50 well-stocked mountaineering and trekking shops. We recommend you purchase your Millet Everest One-sport boots and crampons in Kathmandu, where a very wide selection is available for reasonable prices. We also recommend you purchase your down/duvet jacket, trousers and suit there as well, again for some of the best selection and prices to be found anywhere. Also, be sure to purchase your closed cell kari-mat foam mattresses in Kathmandu. Why bring duffle bags of foam mats on your international flight? Please send us an email to request a Kathmandu price list. If you need a pair of high altitude mitts, we don't recommend Kathmandu, but rather suggest you check out mittens by Wild Country or Outdoor Research (the OR Alti has been popular with our Cho Oyu, Everest, and Lhotse summitters).

For prices at Kathmandu shops, please "click here" . For information about using your credit, bank, cash, ATM card in Nepal, please "click here" . For more information about how much cash to bring for an Lobuche expedition, please"click here" .

Below we have listed several inexpensive shops around the world. It may be best to telephone them directly with your questions, as they are very busy and do not always answer email enquiries in a timely manner. When you do contact them, always be sure to mention your name and the name of our company and expedition leaders to them, as we send them many customers and they often give our members substantial discounts. You may or may not choose to purchase the product from them, but it should give you a good idea of what the fair price for the equipment should be. We especially recommend Second Ascent in Seattle, as it has a very large selection of second hand, discontinued, and rental mountain climbing equipment and clothing.

One strategy our members often pursue is to visit Seattle for one of our Glacier Schools, and then during time set aside during the course, work together with our leaders to try-on, compare, and purchase and hire the equipment they need at one of the least expensive mountaineering shops in Seattle. It is rare to find such a good selection of equipment and clothing in one shop, but Seattle is known for its large glaciated peaks, and large community of mountaineers.

Our planned schedule allows plenty of time for equipment shopping in Kathmandu, where there are so many shops that you will find almost everything you need.

For prices at Kathmandu shops, please "click here". For information about using your credit, bank, cash, ATM card in Nepal, please "click here". For more information about how much cash to bring, please"click here".

Warm mittens are necessary for your expedition. Please don't frostbite your hands. We prefer mittens to gloves, as mittens are so much warmer. We are not sure who makes the best gloves. The warmest mittens come with a sturdy Goretex outer shell and a very warm polar fleece removable mitten liner.

You won't need to wear any liner gloves inside these mitts (they already have their own integral liner) so fit is very important. In Kathmandu you can find good quality Black Diamond and Mountain Hardwear mittens.

How much are the prices for boots, clothing, shoes, mattresses, and climbing equipment in Kathmandu?Open in a new window

Most equipment, boots, clothing, shoes, mattresses are available for purchase and hire in Kathmandu. We allow extra time for our leaders to check your equipment in Kathmandu. If you need additional items, we allow time for shopping and havestaff and members to show you where the shops are.

For information about using your credit, bank, cash, ATM card in Nepal, please "click here". For more information about how much cash to bring for an Everest Glacier School, please"click here".

Your Nepal visa is conveniently purchased by you upon arrival at the Kathmandu airport. It is not necessary to purchase a Nepalese visa prior to landing in Nepal. The cost of a 90 day visa is approximately $100 USD & a 30 day visa costs approximately $60. Please bring cash and 2 extra passport-sized photos (extra photos are necessary to obtain the visa in the airport). Please Note: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months fom the END of the expedition and contain at least 2 blank pages. Please also bring plenty of cash for tips + gratuities, for shopping, drinks, etcetera. You will be paying for your own hotel and meals in Kathmandu. There are good cash/atm machines and traveler's cheques will work, especially in Kathmandu. Members who don't bring enough cash are often found sitting on their hands in a dark and cold hotel room or tent while the rest of the team are out having fun enjoying the night life that is surprisingly exciting and even funny, the sometimes fun pubs and shopping.

There are two types of tips, the staff tip, and the summit-attempt bonus.

The "staff tip" will be $75-$100+, £40-£50+, €65-€80+ per foreign climber. Expect to pay this tip no matter what.

For the "summit-attempt bonus" a group Sherpa who helps you to climb above the high camp or up to the summit and back down, expect to pay $50, £25, €35 per sherpa. That amount of money may be split between the climbers in the summit party.

In Nepal, using your bank, cash or atm card (as long as it's a Cirrus, Plus, or Visa), you can usually obtain rupees at a bank machine in Kathmandu. The machine will not give you dollars, or any other foreign currency. Sometimes, foreign cards dont work in Nepal. The most international bank is Standard and Chartered, and if you plan on using a credit card, you might ask your company to check if your card will work at S&C.

Most of our members carry their personal equipment and snack foods in their checked and carry-on luggage on their international flight.

In Britain, Europe, Australia, and other parts of the world, your baggage allowance may be as low as: 23 kilos/50 pounds of checked baggage, plus a small carry-on bag of 15 kilos/33 pounds (don't show the counter staff this much carry-on luggage upon check-in), for a total of 40 kilos/88 pounds. First ring your airline and request their "sport baggage allowance". Many airlines allow it, and often provide this for golfers, bicyclists, surfers and skiers. Quite often they extend it to climbers. Some of our members have had good luck bringing a ski bag and filling it with climbing equipment. WARNING: They might not give the same allowance on the inbound portion. Be sure to check this and request it if not given, or you could incur high baggage charges when coming home. The documentation of this allowance may take the form of a letter from the baggage officer at the airlines, or the allowance may be printed on the ticket itself (the best form of documentation by far).

If you are unable to attain a sport baggage allowance, obviously, those members coming from these countries will either be faced with wearing their climbing boots, helmet, duvet-clothing, etcetera onto the plane (this is normal procedure for many Australian, British, and European team-members), or paying excess baggage charges, or purchasing/hiring a portion of their equipment or daily snacks in Kathmandu, which is now becoming more and more of a viable option. If you chose to pay the airline's excess baggage charges, you might be faced with $20 per kilogram/2.2 pounds, of excess. Be sure to make full telephone and email inquiries before checking your bags at the airport.

Those members flying from North Americaare currently allowed 2 checked bags weighing 50 pounds/23 kilos each, plus one small carry-on weighing 30 pounds/13 kilos, for a total allowance of 130 pounds, or 60 kilograms. Baggage allowances change frequently. Before departure, you must ring your airline to verify the exact amount.

In North America it may be possible to pay an additional $120 per extra 70 pound/32 kilo bag, up to a total of ten or so extra bags, on flights bound for Nepal or China, but not for flights returning from there. However, be sure to ask about such "extra-bags" policies carefully before booking, and be sure to check with ALL of the airlines on your itinerary, as some of these airlines may try to "double-charge" you.

First ring your airline and request their "sport baggage allowance". Many airlines allow it, and often provide this for golfers, bicyclists, surfers and skiers. Quite often they extend it to climbers. Some of our members have had good luck bringing a ski bag and filling it with climbing equipment. Before arranging cargo shipping, ring your airline and explain what you are climbing/trekking and need to bring extra food/equipment, etcetera. Airlines often allow you to carry extra bags when you fly for a reduced charge, when you arrange it all in advance. The big advantage is that the bags should travel with you all of the time, don't have to be cleared through customs, etcetera. WARNING: They might not give the same allowance on the inbound portion. Be sure to check this and request it if not given, or you could incur high baggage charges when coming home. The documentation of this allowance may take the form of a letter from the baggage officer at the airlines, or the allowance may be printed on the ticket itself (the best form of documentation by far).

If you do arrange cargo shipping, its not difficult but takes a little more time. Always put your name and expedition name on the first two lines, as this will clarify that you are personally using these items for climbing and they are not the property of our local agent, nor are they for resale in Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu you will go to the Customs Hall (near the airport) in the morning and go through a one day process required to clear your cargo through Nepal Customs. So, if you are planning to ship cargo, be sure to arrive in Kathmandu on a weekday (M-F) before the scheduled beginning of our expedition, so you don't miss any critical team orientation meetings, etcetera. You may need to pay some fees to the Nepal Government at the time of pickup. Always be sure to speak to the government officer in-charge there, not a middleman from a freight forwarding company, as they will add on a lot of needless charges. If you have filled out the packing list with amounts stated minimally at point of origin, its mostly used equipment and personal food, and everything is for your personal use during the expedition only, and you say you will take all of it back to your country, your fees payed to the Nepal Government will be very small indeed.

We supply 3 hot meals each day. This food will consist of soup, local cheese & sausage, biscuits, dried noodles, potatoes, rice, porridge, butter, dried and tinned vegetables, fruit, meats, and fish, tea with milk and sugar, powdered juice drink, and drinking chocolate. Our sherpas will be carrying this food along the trek and to the higher camps.

We do not provide cold “snack” food such as chocolate or "energy-bars". We ask that you bring or buy your own "snack" or daily cold energy food, 2-3kilos /4-6 pounds is a good amount. A growing variety of imported foods such as European and American cheeses, chocolates, biscuits, cookies, nuts, and locally made power-bars are now available in Kathmandu, at realistic prices. However, imported power bars, GU, re-hydration drinks, dehydrated food, "freeze-dried meals", imported cheese and sausage are not available. If you want these items, you must bring them from your home country.Many of our members, especially Britons, Europeans, and Australians with tiny baggage allowances, now purchase their daily snacks in Kathmandu. Our schedule in Kathmandu allows plenty of time for shopping.

There is a difference of opinion. However, if you have not been to high altitude often, we suggest you consider trying Diamox. You may wish to start with one half of a tablet in Kathmandu to see how you react to the medication and if you have any side effects. During the approach to basecamp, as well as once we are on the mountain, we suggest you consider taking one to two tablets per day, depending upon your body weight, rate of ascent, and your reaction to the medication.

We encourage members who are going to high-altitude for their first time to try Diamox. During our expedition, we can often tell which team members are using Diamox and which are not according to their level of activity vs. lethargy. Those trying Diamox are often seen laughing, playing cards, and throwing frisbees in basecamp, while those who are not are often seen hunched over their tea in the dining tent, holding their heads and grumbling about a headache. The non-users may also not be seen at all, as they are in their tent lying in their sleeping bag suffering a migraine-like headache.

Whatever your opinion is, Diamox is a very vital part of any high altitude climbers medical kit, used in the prevention of mountain sickness, also known as high altitude sickness or acute mountain sickness (AMS). It's a very old drug, originally developed for cardiac patients in the 1930s. It is the most well known and tested of all of the high altitude drugs. It works well as a preventative medication, taken in advance of symptoms, proactively. It also works acutely in first-aid situations to reduce the severity of symptoms once high-altitude sickness ensues. Common dosage is a half tablet (tablets are 250mg) before AMS occurs, to see if any severe side effects occur. Common side effects include tingling, 'pins and needles' and excessive urination. If no severe side effects occur, it's common to take one 250 mg tablet per day. Up to 2 or even three tablets may be taken per day, depending upon body weight (smaller people need to take less, and larger people more). Be sure to drink enough water, as Diamox is a diuretic (increases urination and thus dehydration).

Diamox increases your body's uptake of carbon dioxide through a ph change in the blood, so as an indirect reaction of your body, it causes you to breath (exhale) more to get rid of the extra CO2. The other mechanism your body uses to get rid of extra CO2 is to urinate more. Breathing more causes you not only to exhale more CO2, but also to take in more oxygen. Your body responds to all of this fresh new oxygen by making your red blood cell count increase. This is what you need to become acclimatized to the higher altitude, more red blood cells to carry more oxygen. Whether you take Diamox or not, this red blood cell increase happens naturally as you slowly ascend to higher altitudes. Diamox just causes the red blood cells to multiply a little faster because you are breathing a bit more. Some people say you can do this yourself without taking Diamox, just hyperventilate all of the time!

Please visit the medical section of the EVGS Personal & Team Equipment link to view a full list of the medicines we recommend you purchase inexpensively in Kathmandu, without a doctor's prescription, before departing for the mountain.

Warm mittens are necessary for Everest View Glacier School. Please don't frostbite your hands. We prefer mittens to gloves, as mittens are so much warmer. We are not sure who makes the best gloves. The warmest mittens come with a sturdy Goretex outer shell and a very warm polar fleece removable mitten liner.

You won't need to wear any liner gloves inside these mitts (they already have their own integral liner) so fit is very important. In Kathmandu you can find good quality Black Diamond and Mountain Hardwear mittens.

When you pack your bags in Kathmandu, please organize your materials into two locking duffle kit bags weighing no more than 20 kilos/44 pounds each. These are the bags that will be put on the flight and tied on the yaks, so please make sure they are strong and secure. You will be able to store your excess baggage in Kathmandu.

Any small and light camera will be fine. Many people use digital cameras now, and download their photos on our laptop in basecamp (our laptop works at high altitude, while yours might not, so check carefully before bringing your own laptop).

There are new digital video cameras that are small and light and work well. Many peoples bring them and there has been some very good quality movies made by our members. Some members have even edited their own feature length films from video they took with one of these good-quality small 'handi-cams'.

Our members take great photos and we might ask your permission to use them in news stories on our news website. Of course you will be credited as the photographer.

If you are planning to download your photos, then you have to bring your own lead/cable and your own software, if available. Digital cameras also have the advantage of being able to take small video clips. We love seeing your video clips on our site and they really add to the excitement of telling the story of your climb. There are some good digital cameras that will work well in the $200, £100, or €135 range.

Be sure you always keep your camera in a plastic bag in the inside pocket of your jacket and you will have to sleep with it at night. You never want it to become cold or be exposed to wind, snow, dust, moisture or rain.

With any camera, make sure you have your battery/charging system well-thought-out before you leave home, as options to figure this out in the mountains will be limited.

Can I have prescription spectacles or glacier glasses made inexpensively in Kathmandu?Open in a new window

Yes you can, and prescription glacier specs with leather side shields cost $28, £15, or €18. However, you will have to examine the possibility and assess the choice of frames and quality of workmanship personally when you arrive in Nepal. If you decide to go ahead, it can sometimes take up to a few weeks for your order to be ready. It's important that you will have your own correct prescription glasses before leaving home for the expedition, as your purchase will most likely not be ready for you until your return to Kathmandu after the trip is over.

Here is a checklist of what we need to have in your file at least two months before the trip begins. We encourage you to send an electronic scan of all of the below documents, please be sure they are signed. Thank you:

[ ] Completed Payment. Please restate payments you made and what those payments were for.[ ] Trip Registration Form (part of 4 page form),[ ] Signed Participant Release and Acknowledgement of Risk (part of 4 page form),[ ] Signed Terms and Conditions of Booking (part of 4 page form), [ ] Signed Medical Form (part of 4 page form), [ ] 1 Passport sized photo, which is a simple, very clear picture of your face, sent as an email scan. (We simply require a picture of your face against a white background. You can take it yourself for free with your own digital camera or smart phone),[ ] Exact photocopy of passport identification pages, [ ] Exact photocopy of complete flight itinerary, [ ] Proof of mountain rescue and repatriation insurance, [ ] Proof of travel, accident, and repatriation insurance (cancellation insurance is advised).

Please do let us know what further questions you may have about the registration process, or anything else for that matter. Thank you.

It's best to purchase your international air ticket several months before trip departure. Although, surprisingly inexpensive air tickets may be available on short notice only a few weeks before the trip begins. However, for some busier times of year known as "high season", it might be best to purchase your air tickets 4-5 months before flying, or, if you are trying to use frequent flyer or air miles, 6-12 months prior to the beginning of the trip.

We can recommend agencies and airlines that offer the lowest prices and best service.

Flights from UK or Europe to Kathmandu currently cost £450-£700 (GBP), or €665-€1000 (EURO).

For Kathmandu, the most normally used airlines are Gulf Airlines, Qatar Airlines, Ethitad Airways or occasionally Jet Airlines. It takes 1 or two days to fly there, and one or two days to fly back. Many Europeans prefer to fly to London first, to take advantage of the inexpensive flights. Flying from London, to begin, may we recommend you contact anyone at Trailfinders on 0207 9383939. Also, please ring the Flight Centre in London on: 08705 666627, or 0207 9356669.

First ring your airline and request their "sport baggage allowance". Many airlines allow it, and often provide this for golfers, bicyclists, surfers and skiers. Quite often they extend it to climbers. Some of our members have had good luck bringing a ski bag and filling it with climbing equipment. Before arranging cargo shipping, ring your airline and explain what you are climbing/trekking and need to bring extra food/equipment, etcetera. Airlines often allow you to carry extra bags when you fly for a reduced charge, when you arrange it all in advance. The big advantage is that the bags should travel with you all of the time, don't have to be cleared through customs, etcetera.

WARNING: They might not give the same allowance on the inbound portion. Be sure to check this and request it if not given, or you could incur high baggage charges when coming home. The documentation of this allowance may take the form of a letter from the baggage officer at the airlines, or the allowance may be printed on the ticket itself (the best form of documentation by far).

Be sure to mention that you are one of our members when you ring your travel agent, as the above companies arrange quite a few of our flights and they may give a discount or provide extra baggage allowance.

Flights from North America to Kathmandu currently cost $1200-$1700.

When flying from North America to Kathmandu it takes three days on the way there (because you are crossing the date line), and two on the way back.

For starters, we recommend you check the internet. Internet flight shopping is easy: www.Expedia.com often has inexpensive flights. Also try other websites such as www.Orbitz.com , www.Kayak.com , etc. If you would like to work with a travel agent, please contact Sue at Unique Travel: 503-221-1719. Another travel agency you may wish to check prices with is: Himalayan Treasures and Travels 800-223-1813, or Bootsnall.com 503-528-1005. Be sure to mention that you are one of our members when you ring your travel agent, as the above companies arrange quite a few of our flights and they may give a discount or provide extra baggage allowance. By the way, before booking your ticket, please check the itinerary carefully and check how much baggage they will allow. In case you have excess baggage, you may wish to ring your airline and request their "sport baggage allowance". Many airlines allow it, and often provide this for golfers, bicyclists, surfers and skiers. Quite often they extend it to climbers. Some of our members have had good luck bringing a ski bag and filling it with climbing equipment. Before arranging cargo shipping, ring your airline and explain what you are climbing/trekking and need to bring extra food/equipment, etcetera. Airlines often allow you to carry extra bags when you fly for a reduced charge, when you arrange it all in advance. The big advantage is that the bags should travel with you all of the time, don't have to be cleared through customs, etcetera. BAGGAGE WARNING: They might not give the same allowance on the inbound portion. Be sure to check this and request it if not given, or you could incur high baggage charges when coming home. The documentation of this allowance may take the form of a letter from the baggage officer at the airlines, or the allowance may be printed on the ticket itself (the best form of documentation by far).

All members must be present on the first day of our scheduled itinerary in Kathmandu unless you have made special arrangements. We need your passports on that day so that we can obtain the permit for you to go to the mountains, and do quite a bit of intensive orientation and training before setting off for the mountains, in the next day or two. Of course it is fine if you wish to arrive earlier than the first day of our scheduled itinerary.

In addition, we need you to stay until the last day of the expedition unless you have made special arrangements. Its OK if you want to leave a bit earlier, but schedule your flight for the final day in any case. You never know when bad weather or route conditions can slow you down and cause you to need each and every day. Of course its fine if you want to stay on after the expedition ends.

Yes and the cost is included in your registration fee. In fact, during our expeditions last year we were able to meet 100 percent of our member's scheduled flights, and bring the team to our hotel. Please make sure we have your complete flight itinerary. Upon picking up your bags and exiting the customs area and walking out into the arrivals hall, be sure to move slowly and look for the person carrying a sign with your name written upon it. Normally, this sign will bear your surname (last or family name), but occasionally they might have written your first or given name on the sign. The sign may also simply say, "SummitClimb".

Our staff in Kathmandu are available to assist you 24 hours per day, seven days per week. It does not matter which day nor at what time you arrive or depart Kathmandu, they will meet your flight, take you to the hotel, help you find essential things like money changing, shopping, arrange tours of the city, etcetera.

Your trip includes 2 free Kathmandu hotel nights at the beginning and two free Kathmandu hotel nights at the end of the trip. You will be sharing. If you want your own single room, the cost is an aditional $32 per night (during the included four free hotel nights) and for extra nights $65 per person for single occupancy. Please bring extra cash to pay for your extra nights and / or your single supplement. We often stay at the comfortable three star Hotel Shakti. Its an excellent and classic hotel surrounded by green gardens and located in the heart of the city action near many delicious restaurants, the city's best mountain equipment shopping, and abundant nightlife all within a few minutes walk. The Shakti also offers lots of entertaining day trip (and night outing) options such as city tours, walking tours, rock climbing, mountain biking, wild game safaris, horse back riding, art classes, volunteer opportunities at orphanages, hospitals, schools, women's centres, bird watching, cooking classes, sport fishing, day peak climbing, herbal medicine seminars, day hikes, pottery classes, car tours, sightseeing, temple tours, henna handpainting classes, massage, swimming, beauty salon, motorbiking, yoga retreats, river rafting, painting classes, golf, language courses, kayaking, writing seminars, bungie jumping, religious worship, canyoning, hot tubs, health club, saunas, fitness center, spa treatments, Mount Kailash Treks, night clubs, meditation retreats, gourmet restaurants, cultural dance performances, wine tasting, pedicures and manicures, casino gambling, barber shop, discotheques, airport transfers, Scenic flights around Mount Everest and much much more.

Our staff in Kathmandu are available to assist you 24 hours per day, seven days per week. It does not matter which day nor at what time you arrive or depart Kathmandu, they will meet your flight, take you to the hotel, help you find essential things like money changing, shopping, arrange tours of the city, etcetera.

Your trip includes 2 free Kathmandu hotel nights at the beginning and two free Kathmandu hotel nights at the end of the trip. You will be sharing. If you want your own single room, the cost is an aditional $32 per night (during the included four free hotel nights) and for extra nights $65 per person for single occupancy. Please bring extra cash to pay for your extra nights and / or your single supplement. We often stay at the comfortable three star Hotel Shakti. Its an excellent and classic hotel surrounded by green gardens and located in the heart of the city action near many delicious restaurants, the city's best mountain equipment shopping, and abundant nightlife all within a few minutes walk. The Shakti also offers lots of entertaining day trip (and night outing) options such as city tours, walking tours, rock climbing, mountain biking, wild game safaris, horse back riding, art classes, volunteer opportunities at orphanages, hospitals, schools, women's centres, bird watching, cooking classes, sport fishing, day peak climbing, herbal medicine seminars, day hikes, pottery classes, car tours, sightseeing, temple tours, henna handpainting classes, massage, swimming, beauty salon, motorbiking, yoga retreats, river rafting, painting classes, golf, language courses, kayaking, writing seminars, bungie jumping, religious worship, canyoning, hot tubs, health club, saunas, fitness center, spa treatments, Mount Kailash Treks, night clubs, meditation retreats, gourmet restaurants, cultural dance performances, wine tasting, pedicures and manicures, casino gambling, barber shop, discotheques, airport transfers, Scenic flights around Mount Everest and much much more. Meals in Kathmandu are at your expense.

Will there be a day of orientation in Kathmandu, to meet the members, leaders, & check my equipment?Open in a new window

All members must be present on the first day of our scheduled itinerary in Kathmandu unless you have made special arrangements. We need your passports on that day so that we can obtain the permit for you to go to the mountains, and do quite a bit of intensive orientation and training before setting off for the mountains, in the next day or two.

After completing our orientation session and receiving our permits, we plan to depart Kathmandu the morning after the orientation, although the schedule may differ by one day.

Most of our members carry their personal equipment and snack foods in their checked and carry-on luggage on their international flight.

In Britain, Europe, Australia, and other parts of the world, your baggage allowance may be as low as: 23 kilos/50 pounds of checked baggage, plus a small carry-on bag of 15 kilos/33 pounds (don't show the counter staff this much carry-on luggage upon check-in), for a total of 40 kilos/88 pounds. First ring your airline and request their "sport baggage allowance". Many airlines allow it, and often provide this for golfers, bicyclists, surfers and skiers. Quite often they extend it to climbers. Some of our members have had good luck bringing a ski bag and filling it with climbing equipment. WARNING: They might not give the same allowance on the inbound portion. Be sure to check this and request it if not given, or you could incur high baggage charges when coming home. The documentation of this allowance may take the form of a letter from the baggage officer at the airlines, or the allowance may be printed on the ticket itself (the best form of documentation by far).

If you are unable to attain a sport baggage allowance, obviously, those members coming from these countries will either be faced with wearing their climbing boots, helmet, duvet-clothing, etcetera onto the plane (this is normal procedure for many Australian, British, and European team-members), or paying excess baggage charges, or purchasing/hiring a portion of their equipment or daily snacks in Kathmandu, which is now becoming more and more of a viable option. If you chose to pay the airline's excess baggage charges, you might be faced with $20 per kilogram/2.2 pounds, of excess. Be sure to make full telephone and email inquiries before checking your bags at the airport.

Those members flying from North Americaare currently allowed 2 checked bags weighing 50 pounds/23 kilos each, plus one small carry-on weighing 30 pounds/13 kilos, for a total allowance of 130 pounds, or 60 kilograms. Baggage allowances change frequently. Before departure, you must ring your airline to verify the exact amount.

In North America it may be possible to pay an additional $120 per extra 70 pound/32 kilo bag, up to a total of ten or so extra bags, on flights bound for Nepal or China, but not for flights returning from there. However, be sure to ask about such "extra-bags" policies carefully before booking, and be sure to check with ALL of the airlines on your itinerary, as some of these airlines may try to "double-charge" you.

First ring your airline and request their "sport baggage allowance". Many airlines allow it, and often provide this for golfers, bicyclists, surfers and skiers. Quite often they extend it to climbers. Some of our members have had good luck bringing a ski bag and filling it with climbing equipment. Before arranging cargo shipping, ring your airline and explain what you are climbing/trekking and need to bring extra food/equipment, etcetera. Airlines often allow you to carry extra bags when you fly for a reduced charge, when you arrange it all in advance. The big advantage is that the bags should travel with you all of the time, don't have to be cleared through customs, etcetera. WARNING: They might not give the same allowance on the inbound portion. Be sure to check this and request it if not given, or you could incur high baggage charges when coming home. The documentation of this allowance may take the form of a letter from the baggage officer at the airlines, or the allowance may be printed on the ticket itself (the best form of documentation by far).

If you do arrange cargo shipping, its not difficult but takes a little more time. Always put your name and expedition name on the first two lines, as this will clarify that you are personally using these items for climbing and they are not the property of our local agent, nor are they for resale in Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu you will go to the Customs Hall (near the airport) in the morning and go through a one day process required to clear your cargo through Nepal Customs. So, if you are planning to ship cargo, be sure to arrive in Kathmandu on a weekday (M-F) before the scheduled beginning of our expedition, so you don't miss any critical team orientation meetings, etcetera. You may need to pay some fees to the Nepal Government at the time of pickup. Always be sure to speak to the government officer in-charge there, not a middleman from a freight forwarding company, as they will add on a lot of needless charges. If you have filled out the packing list with amounts stated minimally at point of origin, its mostly used equipment and personal food, and everything is for your personal use during the expedition only, and you say you will take the rest back to your country, your fees payed to the Nepal Government will be very small indeed.

You will have to request shipping times and charges from your local agent as we don't know the details from your country.

Will there be time to hire-rent-purchase my equipment, boots, and clothing in Kathmandu?Open in a new window

Our planned schedule allows plenty of time for equipment shopping in Kathmandu, where there are so many shops that you will find almost everything you need, except good high-altitude mittens and gloves.

For prices at Kathmandu shops, please "click here". For information about using your credit, bank, cash, ATM card in Nepal, please "click here". For more information about how much cash to bring, please"click here".

Warm mittens are necessary for the expedition. Please don't frostbite your hands. As of this writing, Kathmandu does not have very good mitts and gloves, but that is certain to change. We prefer mittens to gloves, as mittens are so much warmer. We are not sure who makes the best gloves. If you are in London, try visiting a snow and rock shop and trying some on. Here is a link to one of the better mittens we have seen so far:

You won't need to wear any liner gloves inside these mitts (they already have their own integral liner) so fit is very important. This company ships around the world. Be sure to discuss the size of your hand and what size mitt you might need with the person at the shop. Sometimes our members from other countries have them sent to our US office address and US team membersbring them over to the mountain directly for the person.

How much are the prices for boots, clothing, shoes, mattresses, and climbing equipment in Kathmandu?Open in a new window

Most equipment, boots, clothing, shoes, mattresses are available for purchase and hire in Kathmandu, with the exception of good high altitude hand-wear. We allow extra time for our leaders to check your equipment in Kathmandu. If you need additional items, we allow time for shopping and havestaff and members to show you where the shops are.

For information about using your credit, bank, cash, ATM card in Nepal, please "click here". For more information about how much cash to bring, please"click here".

Here is some information on Kathmandu equipment prices:

Prices for hiring are the same as purchasing used equipment, seen below in Nepalese Rupees (Rs), at the lowest range of the used prices. $1 USD = 75 rupees (as of 2011)

Down Suit various sizes:

New Shonas: Rs. 27,000

New Everest Hardware: Rs. 28,500 to 30,000

Imported New: Rs. 68,000 to 85,000 (North Face and Mountain Hardwear)

Used: 12,000 to 20,000

Renting: 200 to 300 per day

Down Jacket, size extra-large:

New Shonas: Rs. 4500 to 9500

New Everest Hardware: Rs. 5500 to 9000

Used Imported: Rs. 8000 to 15,000

New Imported: Rs. 15,000 to 25,000

Renting: 100 to 150 per day

Down Trousers size extra-large:

New Shonas: Rs. 4500 to 6500

New Everest Hardware: 9500 to 10,000

Used Imported: Rs. 10,000 to 22,000

New Imported: Rs. 25,000 to 30,500

Renting: 100 to 150 per day

Camping mattress:

Rs. 350 - 2200

Down Sleeping bag, extra-long size for tall person:

New Shonas: Rs. 9000 to 9500

New Everest Hardware: 14,000 to 25,000

Used Imported: 7000 to 20,000

New Imported: 51,000 to 55,500

Renting: 100 to 300 per day

Crampon (Grivel G-12 or Camp Aluminium LC 480, or similar):

Used Price (medium quality): Rs. 5000 to 8000

New Price:13,000 to 16,000

Renting: 50 to 120 per day

Helmet

Used Price (medium quality): 1500 to 3500

New Price: 4500 to 5500

Renting: 45 to 150 per day

Ice Axe

Used Price (medium quality): 1500 to 5000

New Price: 9000

Renting: 60 to 150 per day

Harness

Used Price (medium quality): 2000 to 5000

New Price: 4500 to 6500 (Black Diamond, Petzl)

Renting: 100 to 130 per day

Millet One-Sport Everest Boots

Used Price: 15,000 to 45,000

New Price: 55,000

Renting: 150 to 200 per day

Plastic Double Climbing boots:

Used Price: 8000 to 11,000

New Price: 20,000 - 35,000

Renting: 100 to 180 per day

Lightweight leather trekking boot:

Used Price: 3000 to 10,000

New Price: 5500 to 28,000 (Coleman, Millet, Crispi)

Goretex jacket:

Used Price: 2000 to 10,000

New price: 3500 to 27,000

Medium-large rucksack:

Used Price: 1500 to 5000

New Price: Rs. 6500 to 20,00

Renting: 45 to 100 per day

Glacier sunglasses:

Used Price: 1500 to 3000

New Price: Rs. 4500 to 8000

Ski goggles:

Used Price: 1500 to 4000

New Price: Rs. 6000 to 8500

Gloves and Mittens:

Used Price: 3000 to 5000 (hard to find)

New Price: 9000 to 9500

Head Lamps:

Used Price: 600 to 2000

New Price: 3500

Here is a partial list for those desiring to contact Nepalese manufacturers:

When you pack your bags in Kathmandu, please organize your materials into two locking duffle kit bags weighing no more than 20 kilos/44 pounds each. These are the bags that will be put on the flight and tied on the yaks, so please make sure they are strong and secure. You will be able to store your excess baggage in Kathmandu.

In Nepal, using your bank, cash or atm card (as long as it's a Cirrus, Plus, or Visa), you can usually obtain rupees at a bank machine in Kathmandu. The machine will not give you dollars, or any other foreign currency. Sometimes, foreign cards dont work in Nepal. The most international bank is Standard and Chartered, and if you plan on using a credit card, you might ask your company to check if your card will work at S&C.

Your Nepal visa is conveniently purchased by you upon arrival at the Kathmandu airport. It is not necessary to purchase a Nepalese visa prior to landing in Nepal. The cost of a 90 day visa is approximately $100 USD & a 30 day visa costs approximately $60. Please bring cash and 2 extra passport-sized photos (extra photos are necessary to obtain the visa in the airport). Please Note: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the END of the expedition and contain at least 2 blank pages.

Nearly all developed countries have agents who offer travel and mountain climbing insurance at a reasonable price. Full-coverage insurance is essential, because it not only covers mountain climbing, but also travel to and from the mountain. This could cover you for lost bags, a car accident on the way to the airport, etcetera. When you see what high-quality insurance covers, you will realize that it is a very good value. BEFORE PURCHASING, BE SURE TO REQUEST A COPY OF THE POLICY AND BE SURE TO READ AND UNDERSTAND IT. Please enclose proof of insurance with your final team-membership payment. If you are one of the unfortunates who come from a country where such insurance is not available, we will accept an authorization letter and your credit card. You must be covered for travel, full domestic rescue, helicopter (where available) and international rescue and repatriation expenses. NO CREDIT CARD AUTHORIZATION = NO EXPEDITION MEMBERSHIP.

http://www.travelexinsurance.com/ (Get the "Adventurer Plus Pak". This Pak is required to receive medical and evacuation coverage for mountaineering and a rental allowance in the event your gear is lost. To receive this benefit, your policy and Pak must be purchased within 21 days of initial trip deposit.

http://www.snowcard.co.uk/Mountaineering up to 5000m covered on Extreme Adventure package and up to 7000m guided only on Pro adventure Package. Insurance policies available from this website can only be used by uk & channel islands residents

In the US and Canada, your total full-coverage insurance package may vary, depending on trip duration and amount of coverage. We have seen several companies that offer comprehensive plans for travel and mountain rescue. A company called Global rescue is worth checking out; http://www.globalrescue.com , which can be combined with a standard travel policy.

Those who wish to shop further, or have higher incomes and/or assets to protect may also be interested in: Access America, Travelex, Travel Guard, etc. Be sure to check what the policy covers before you buy.

The most important precaution while climbing peaks of this altitude is to be aware of proper acclimatization and to be sure that you are well adapted to the altitude before moving up the mountain. If you have never been to such a high altitude before, we encourage you to try Diamox .

Members are allowed access to our extensive medical supplies, first-aid kits, medical oxygen, a gamow bag, climbing ropes and anchors. Our methods and equipment used in expedition climbing and trekking are time-tested over more than 20 years. We do not spare expense and have a complete range of equipment and very in-depth knowledge and experience in the use of lead and fixing ropes, rock-ice-snow anchors, rescue equipment, communications equipment, full-climbing equipment for safe ascent and descent, cookers, fuels, cooking equipment, proper and nutritious foods, hydration supplies and techniques, a vast array of tents (both used and used), high-altitude camping equipment. Our philosophy is one of "It is better too bring too much than not enough". We believe that our philosophy of being extra prepared is one of the key factors in our long tradition of successful ascents.

Our leaders are highly trained and extremely experienced in diagnosing and treating illness and injury in the Himalaya, and are well equipped with extensive medical kits. Hopefully, a doctor or medical professional will be present. We encourage doctors and medical professionals who climb and trek to join our teams, in return for a 10 % discount. Out of our last nine expeditions, six had a doctor, and two had more than one doctor. However, please remember that these people are here to get away from their normal hospital routine, and have come to climb and trek, and they are not here to operate an "expedition health clinic". Thank you.

In case of emergency, God forbid, our leader and Sherpas would help apply first aid, provide medicines and assistance with our medical oxygen, and "Gamow-Bag", then we would transport you to basecamp where an evacuation would take place. In Nepal, this evacuation would be via helicopter, at your expense.

BE SURE TO PURCHASE GOOD QUALITY CLIMBING, TRIP INTERRUPTION AND TRAVEL INSURANCE.

Only in extremely rare cases do such things happen, but, lets be honest, risks are present when climbing in the higher ranges of the world. However, optimists will tell you that your chances of being involved in an auto-accident on the way to or from the airport might be greater than during the actual climb itself. BE SURE TO PURCHASE GOOD QUALITY CLIMBING, TRIP INTERRUPTION AND TRAVEL INSURANCE.

WE NOW REQUIRE A SPECIAL AUTHORIZATION LETTER TO BE ON FILE WITH OUR KATHMANDU OFFICE IN CASE OF A HELICOPTER OR OTHER RESCUE (where applicable).

In the very rare case of an emergency, this letter authorizes our agent and rescue companies to organise a rescue on your behalf. The letter is part of the forms you must sign, in order to register for the trip. The letter will be kept locked in our safe and we have never had a problem with this in the past. Some insurance companies respond to a rescue request on a 24 hour basis. Other insurance companies do not, and you file your claim after returning to your home country, so we need the rescue letter on hand, with payment instructions. Obviously, we need to be able to send a helicopter and/or special rescue jeep and rescue team immediately, in case of the unlikely event you are injured and unable to walk, or perhaps unconscious. Please Click here for Helicopter or other Rescue form . Or Please Click here for Download the form . Thank you very much.

In Kathmandu, for a few days only, at the beginning and the end of the trip, you pay for your own meals. There are a wide variety of tasty restaurants in Kathmandu serving continental and Asian food. Prices are reasonable compared to what you would pay at home, depending on how much alcohol you wish to drink with each meal. We do not encourage our members to drink too much. For example 10 - 30 US dollars, 5 - 15 pounds, 7 - 22 euros, a day should be enough for all of your meals. Please review how much cash to bring for the expedition. Thank you.

On the trek our skilled trekking cooks provide delicious meals.Our cooks prepare 3 hot meals a day for us using many fresh ingredients, including fresh vegetables and meats, and fresh bread and boiled eggs for breakfast. If you are a vegetarian, be sure and tell us, so we can instruct the cooks to prepare vegetarian dishes, no problem.

We do not provide cold “snack” food such as chocolate or "energy-bars". We ask that you bring or buy your own "snack" or daily cold energy food, 2-3 kilos/4-6pounds, is a good amount. A growing variety of imported foods such as European and American cheeses, chocolates, biscuits, cookies, nuts, and locally made power-bars are now available in Kathmandu, at realistic prices. However, imported power bars, GU, re-hydration drinks, dehydrated food, "freeze-dried meals", imported cheese and sausage are not available. If you want these items, you must bring them from your home country.Many of our members, especially Britons, Europeans, and Australians with tiny baggage allowances, now purchase their daily snacks in Kathmandu. Our schedule in Kathmandu allows plenty of time for shopping.

Laptops work well up to about 4000 metres/13,000 feet. Altitude can destroy or wipe hard drives bigger than 7 - 10 GB above this altitude, or hard drives that have a moving disk. There are several options out on the market for non moving hard drives that work well in altitude. Panasonic make a special laptop called a "Toughbook"; it is expensive, but I once chipped one out of the ice in a tent at 7500 metres and it still worked.

Note: Some early ipod and mp3 players have this problem as well. Check to make sure your ipod does not have a moving drive, especially before you turn it on above 4000 metres. We have had several instances where these were wiped or crashed.

Digital cameras work well. We recommend that you keep them in your jacket during the day and in your sleeping bag at night.

In Nepal, electricity comes from the mains in your hotel at 220 volts with a European style two-round-pin plug. There is an automatic converter in most North American appliances which will allow you to plug 110 volt items into the 220 volt electricity in Nepal. Please be sure to read the back of your appliance or charger to make sure it does this conversion automatically.

Any small and light camera will be fine. Many people use digital cameras now, and download their photos on our laptop in basecamp (our laptop works at high altitude, while yours might not, so check carefully before bringing your own laptop).

There are new digital video cameras that are small and light and work well. Many peoples bring them and there has been some very good quality movies made by our members. Some members have even edited their own feature length films from video they took with one of these good-quality small 'handi-cams'.

Our members take great photos and we might ask your permission to use them in news stories on our news website. Of course you will be credited as the photographer.

If you are planning to download your photos, then you have to bring your own lead/cable and your own software, if available. Digital cameras also have the advantage of being able to take small video clips. We love seeing your video clips on our site and they really add to the excitement of telling the story of your climb. There are some good digital cameras that will work well in the $200, £100, or €135 range.

Be sure you always keep your camera in a plastic bag in the inside pocket of your jacket and you will have to sleep with it at night. You never want it to become cold or be exposed to wind, snow, dust, moisture or rain.

With any camera, make sure you have your battery/charging system well-thought-out before you leave home, as options to figure this out in the mountains will be limited.

Below are some short video clips taken along our recent Everest View Glacier School by our team members. Please click the picture or title in the left column to view each clip. In the right column is the description for each video.

Panoramic view of the Cho La Glacier. The view displays the surrounding mountains and ice we will travel on, learn safety techniques and conduct training before heading to Lobuche East (clip by safejourneys). 0:40 seconds (6 MB).

You can can go to their site www.videolandproductions.com and email info@videolandproductions.com or call (+1)360-491-1332 to buy any and all of the mountain climbing and trekking films we have. Please tell them we said hi!

We will be expanding this section with more Everest Glacier School video clips.

What questions do you have? Please ask as many questions as possible. This helps us to have a proper conversation so we can better understand one-another's expectations, so you will have a very safe, enjoyable, and successful expedition. Thank you. Before completing the application forms, please be sure to carefully study the Everest View Glacier School "Questions" website for information regarding flights, payment, team members, application forms, insurance, etcetera: Everest View Glacier School Frequently Asked Questions.

Below you should find a pdf or MS document containing the application pro forma. Are you able to read it? When all of your questions have been answered to your satisfaction, please print out the application and return it to us with your refundable ten-percent deposit, to hold your place in our team. Would you please just post it to us at the mailing address you will find on the form? Thank you very much. If you decide not to go, your deposit will be refunded according to our refund policy. Your registration and the final payment must be completed two months prior to the expedition starting date. Thank you very much.

Here is a checklist of what we need to have in your file at least two months before the trip begins. We encourage you to send an electronic scan of all of the below documents, please be sure they are signed. Thank you:

[ ] Completed Payment. Please restate payments you made and what those payments were for,

[ ] Trip Registration Form (part of 4 page form),[ ] Signed Participant Release and Acknowledgement of Risk (part of 4 page form),[ ] Signed Terms and Conditions of Booking (part of 4 page form), [ ] Signed Medical Form (part of 4 page form), [ ] 1 Passport sized photo, which is a simple, very clear picture of your face, sent as an email scan. (We simply require a picture of your face against a white background. You can take it yourself for free with your own digital camera or smart phone),[ ] Exact photocopy of passport identification pages, [ ] Exact photocopy of complete flight itinerary, [ ] Proof of mountain rescue and repatriation insurance, [ ] Proof of travel, accident, and repatriation insurance (cancellation and trip interruption insurance is advised).

Please do let us know what further questions you may have about the registration process, or anything else for that matter. Thank you.

What questions do you have? Please ask as many questions as possible. This helps us to have a proper conversation so we can better understand one-another's expectations, so you will have a very safe, enjoyable, and successful expedition. Thank you. Before completing the application forms, please be sure to carefully study the Everest View Glacier School "Questions" website for information regarding flights, payment, team members, application forms, insurance, etcetera: Everest View Glacier School Frequently Asked Questions.

Below you should find a pdf or MS document containing the application pro forma. Are you able to read it? When all of your questions have been answered to your satisfaction, please print out the application and return it to us with your refundable ten-percent deposit, to hold your place in our team. Would you please just post it to us at the mailing address you will find on the form? Thank you very much. If you decide not to go, your deposit will be refunded according to our refund policy. Your registration and the final payment must be completed two months prior to the expedition starting date. Thank you very much.

Here is a checklist of what we need to have in your file at least two months before the trip begins. We encourage you to send an electronic scan of all of the below documents, please be sure they are signed. Thank you:

[ ] Completed Payment. Please restate payments you made and what those payments were for,

[ ] Trip Registration Form (part of 4 page form),[ ] Signed Participant Release and Acknowledgement of Risk (part of 4 page form),[ ] Signed Terms and Conditions of Booking (part of 4 page form), [ ] Signed Medical Form (part of 4 page form), [ ] 1 Passport sized photo, which is a simple, very clear picture of your face, sent as an email scan. (We simply require a picture of your face against a white background. You can take it yourself for free with your own digital camera or smart phone),[ ] Exact photocopy of passport identification pages, [ ] Exact photocopy of complete flight itinerary, [ ] Proof of mountain rescue and repatriation insurance, [ ] Proof of travel, accident, and repatriation insurance (cancellation and trip interruption insurance is advised).

Please do let us know what further questions you may have about the registration process, or anything else for that matter. Thank you.

Here is what Tony says: I am totally positive about the trip. Well paced, good leadership. Nice flexible approach. All worked well for me and I would be happy to recommend it to anyone thinking of going. Regards, TonyHere is what Travis says: It was/is a great time!

I had a wonderful time and wonderful trip. Enough can't be said about how nice it is to just basically show up and have most things handled for you. Everything from the hotels to the airport pickup and other logistics. It really makes this trip easy to do with minimal planning at a pretty affordable price. I even got to meet the Sherpa that brought me back to Lukla from Mera Peak during my last trip there in November 2015. Such a small world, it's nice to have those connections. Thanks, Travis

Here is what Marjo and Mika say:

We are now back home and would like to thank you and your Company for the great trip we had to Lobuche East. Special thanks to your professional, kind and helpful sherpas. They all were so strong and we had a really good group together with Matt from UK!! Everything was very well organized, they took good care of us, we saw beautiful sherpa villages and enjoyed wonderful scenery. And finally the climb went very well and we all summeted!

Thank you also for your kindnes during our stay in Kathmandu, it was nice to meet your family. Your hotel manager was also very helpful drawing maps for us to find sights from the city and he even drove us to the airport.

Our friend, Linda from US sent just an email that she is going to climb with you to Mount Rainier! So great! And also our friend, Tanya from Australia, who could not come now because of leg operation, is going to join Lobuche team in spring season.

Greetings from Finland, Marjo and Mika

Panoramic view from summit of Lobuche Peak. Photo Matt.

Members and Sherpa at the summit of Lobuche, background view Everest. Member reaching Summit with the help of fix rope. Photo Matt.

Here is what Grace Says:

I credit a childhood full of National Geographic magazines for my fascination with Mt. Everest and thirst for "off the beaten path"adventures. So, naturally, when the venerable magazine called out Summit Climb's Everest View Glacier School as "one of the best adventure travel trips", I knew it was the trip to get an adventurous but entirely inexperienced aspiring climber, like myself, up a mountain and then on to Everest Base Camp. If you have even the slightest thirst for adventure and challenge and you find yourself trekking through the Himalayas, you will ask yourself what it would be like to climb one of those beautiful peaks. Summit Climb's Everest View Glacier School is the way to make sure you answer that question.

I had a blast - so much fun that I've been planning my next trip with Summit Climb since I came home. What better review can I give than becoming a repeat customer? There is no shortage of adventure companies offering well organized and safe climbing opportunities in Nepal with experienced leaders; however, it's the extra little things that make a trip like this special.

Going with Summit Climb meant that I got free, unexpected, impromptu, laid back, really local walking tours through the winding and confusing streets of Kathmandu. It meant an unbelievable array of companions in Kathmandu, at tea houses and along the trail because the leaders are very inclusive and like to bring together all of their clients and guides - especially for dinners on the initial days in Kathmandu. As a result, it was easy for me, a solo traveller, to make friends and mix with all types of climbers, from the novices on their way to climb their first peak, to the intermediate on their way to a more challenging peak, to experienced local and foreign guides, who have made mountain climbing their life's work and stood on the summits of peaks a beginner can only dream of. Maybe it's the nature of those who climb, or perhaps it's a reflection of the type of people who join a Summit Climb trip, but everyone was friendly, approachable and supportive of each other's ambitions and experience (or lack thereof). Summit Climb gets huge marks for creating such a welcoming, positive and engaging environment for a first-timer. They also do a great job picking their local guides for the glacier school. Even before I left Kathmandu, a Summit Climb repeat customer was raving about how lucky the glacier school group is to have thi leader as their guide and instructor and he was right.

The leader had all of the qualities a beginner climber would look for in a guide and instructor for their first trip to Nepal; he is a friendly, patient, approachable, supportive and professional guide who will make you feel safe at all times and make sure you are feeling healthy and having fun as well. He genuinely cares about everyone on his team and is committed to making sure you not only succeed, but truly enjoy your first Himalayan climbing experience. Most importantly he has a deep connection to Nepal, the mountains and the people; which led to many unexpected, warm and informal experiences with the locals along the way. I joined Summit Climb as just another client and there's a real skill to making people feel like they're not just another client. In Nepal, the Summit Climb family always made me feel and took care of me like I was a friend and because of that I would encourage anyone who wants to learn to climb in the Himalayas with a relaxed, inclusive, friendly and supportive group to go with Summit Climb's Everest Glacier View School."

Grace

By the way, I've been following you hospital and school trek updates. Sounds like the group is doing lots of great work and enjoying themselves. Congrats.

A view of the snow summit on Lobuche East. Photo Valerie Hovland. Team member and sherpa on the summit of Lobuche.Photo Valerie Hovland.

Here is what Dennis N Says:

Just returned to Utah from the Everest View Glacier School. It was quite an experience of which I will never forget. The views of the Himalayan Peaks were stunning and the people I met were awesome. You have a great leadership and sherpa team assembled. I enjoyed my time with each one of them and found them to be professional and well suited for their professions. The porters and cooks were quite impressive as well. Thank you for such a wonderful experience.

We had a wonderful adventure and couldn't have wished for more. I especially want to let you know what a superb leader our guide was. He was the consummate professional, taking care of our every need and his patience with all the personalities was remarkable. The entire staff was great and made the trip care free. Thanks again for working with our group to make the trip fit our schedule. I will never be the same after spending 4 weeks in Nepal and the high alpine, I look forward to my next adventure.

Regards,John

PS I have some wonderful pictures and video of the trek/climb that I will send to you on DVD soon.Back to Top

At the summit with Everest, Lhotse, Pumori, and more - 6119m (Sean McLane). On Summit of Mount Lobuche (Sjoerd Wever). View of Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Changtse, and the Khumbu Glacier from the Summit of Lobuche (Sjoerd Wever). View from the summit of Lobuche East (Max Kausch). Approaching to summit of Mount Lobuche (Sjoerd Wever).

Everest Glacier School with you guys from Summitclimb was a great experience !

Everest Glacier School was something I will recommend to others and -who knows -may be some of my family will join you in the future

I didn't really know,what to expect from this trip (completely new territory for me) and how I would do on the mountain (factors like altitude and conditioning )

I am really glad I did it and I still feel the "mental buoyancy " from the experience

To meet and climb with the leader in person was definitely THE highlight. I had seen and listened to him before at Vancouver Mountain Film Festival and knew about him and other climbers rescuing Lincoln Hall on Everest . For me safety is a huge concern and I thought ,that I could trust him 100% with that and i wasn't wrong ! The tempo was very relaxed and I think most mistakes happen,when people are rushing too much and get physically and mentally exhausted . I must say,that I did feel itchy in the beginning to get going faster though .

It also allows for a "group feeeling " to evolve . So many participants have given positive feedback . The whole climb seemed to be accomplished rather by the group than by each individual team member.

If you remember : I was a bit concerned about my sinus - headache and the night before the climb I wondered , if it would work for me to continue the climb. But I thought ,that worst case scenario I would have to abandon the climb on route and felt comfortable after talking about it to you and you reassuring me,that I should be fine . Plus I did have helicopter rescue insurance in the worst of cases.

It felt great ,when we finally got started on Monday evening. I have never camped on a glacier before and it was a unique experience . The self arrest practice was fun and hopefully I never need it in a "real" situation .

The hike to high camp was a pretty hard hike, but with taking it one step at a time and the breaks in between it was fine .

On the climb to the summit, the leader stopped ,when we asked for breaks - no problemo . Tempo was very comfortable and sustainable for hours . And we made it all the way to the top !

I found this while surfing on the net ,which sums up ,what I think about how to approach a climb :

Tip #10: It is just a mountain: Ever try to hit a golf ball or ski a steep ski run when you are stressed out versus relaxed? Go into the climb knowing that your summit is not going to change the history of climbing, and that when push comes to shove you are those close to you are really the only ones who care about your experience. Get hurt or killed and you will have a big impact on the world around you. If you are relaxed, happy, and not too attached to getting into "summit or plummet" mode and you will oddly have a much better chance of summiting. There is no worse fate than being in the mountains with someone who hates climbing and is simply there to tick off the top. Enjoy the ride, get as high as you can, realize that it is only important to you personally, and be kind to others and you will more than likely get lucky.

Sean McLane nearly on the summit of Lobuche Peak. (Sjoerd Wever). Training on a beautiful day on the Chola Pass with Mount Ama Dablam and Cholatse behind (Sjoerd Wever).

We take our member's feedback and testimonials seriously. These help us to refine and make our trekking a successful, safe, and enjoyable experience for our future teams.

What our clients say?

Here is what Mark from Australia says:

"I was very pleased with the trip and have no complaints. The staff and leader were excellent and we had a good team."

Here is what Dennis from Utah says:

"It was quite an experience of which I will never forget. The views of the Himalayan Peaks were stunning and the people I met were awesome. You have a great team of guides and staff assembled and I enjoyed my time with each one of them and found them to be professional and well suited for the trip. The porters and cooks were quite impressive as well. Thank you for a wonderful, life fulfilling dream come true. Your program is awesome and I have told several people already of the quality of Summit Climb."